title: Homovanillic acid and prolactin in plasma and CSF of medicated epileptic patients.
abstract: Homovanillic acid (HVA), the main dopamine metabolite, and prolactin (PRL) were estimated in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 11 male epileptic patients treated with antiepileptic drugs and of 14 neurologic controls. A trend toward higher concentrations in plasma and lower concentrations in CSF in the patient group as compared with controls was observed for both parameters. The plasma to CSF ratios of HVA and PRL levels were significantly higher in the patient group. This shift may be due to an influence of the drugs on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. The PRL levels in the CSF correlated negatively to the HVA levels in CSF in the patient group only.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011388:Prolactin; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid