Neurotransmitters in CSF of idiopathic adult-onset dystonia: reduced 5-HIAA levels as evidence of impaired serotonergic metabolism.
While several radiological findings point towards the basal ganglia as a possible anatomical site of the lesion in dystonia patients the biochemical basis of the disorder is still unknown. 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) levels-the respective metabolites of serotonin and dopamine-were measured in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (lCSF) of 15 patients with idiopathic adult-onset focal dystonia and in lCSF of 11 controls. 100 microliters lCSF were analyzed for 5-HIAA and HVA by reversed-phase HPLC with electrochemical detection. 5-HIAA levels were significantly reduced in dystonia patients (11.4 micrograms/ml) compared to controls (18.4 ng/ml) (p < 0.02). HVA levels in dystonia patients (30.3 ng/ml) were below control values (41.6 ng/ml) but this finding did not reach statistical significance. Decreased lCSF levels of 5-HIAA suggest an impaired serotonin metabolism in patients with idiopathic adult-onset dystonia. This observation may provide a biochemical basis for a more specific pharmacotherapy in dystonia patients.
Naumann
M
M
Department of Neurology, University of Würzburg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Götz
M
M
Reiners
K
K
Lange
K W
KW
Riederer
P
P
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D004421:Dystonia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*
D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid