Biogenic amine metabolites in the CSF of patients with late onset and alcoholic ataxias.
The levels of monoamine metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 10 patients with late onset ataxia, 8 patients with alcoholic ataxia and 18 control patients. The levels did not differ significantly among the three groups of patients suggesting that the central neuronal systems utilizing dopamine, noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine do not have a significant pathophysiological role in these forms of ataxias. The measurement of CSF amine metabolites probably does not contribute to the differential diagnosis of ataxias.
Department of Neurology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
S
S
Kaakkola
P
P
Tuomainen
P T
PT
Männistö
J
J
Palo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D001259:Ataxia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D001679:Biogenic Amines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000502:physiology; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D013129:Spinal Puncture
D001679:Biogenic Amines; D012701:Serotonin; D004298:Dopamine; D009638:Norepinephrine