Essential fatty acids predict metabolites of serotonin and dopamine in cerebrospinal fluid among healthy control subjects, and early- and late-onset alcoholics.
BACKGROUND
Impulsive violence, suicide, and depression are strongly associated with low concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (CSF 5-HIAA). Increased suicide and trauma reported in some cholesterol-lowering trials may be related to altered concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids rather than cholesterol, a possible surrogate marker.


METHODS
CSF 5-HIAA and homovanillic acid (HVA), total cholesterol, and plasma fatty acid concentrations were examined in 176 subjects, including 49 healthy volunteers, and 88 early- and 39 late-onset alcoholics.


RESULTS
Among each group, polyunsaturated fatty acids predicted both CSF 5-HIAA and CSF HVA concentrations, but total cholesterol was unrelated to either neurotransmitter metabolite. The relationships between plasma 22: 6n3 and CSF 5-HIAA were significantly different when healthy volunteers (r = .35) were compared to early-onset alcoholics (r = -.38) (p < .0002).


CONCLUSIONS
Dietary studies are indicated to determine if essential fatty acid supplementation can influence central nervous system serotonin and dopamine metabolism and modify impulsive behaviors related to these neurotransmitters.
Hibbeln
J R
JR
Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
Linnoila
M
M
Umhau
J C
JC
Rawlings
R
R
George
D T
DT
Salem
N
N
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
D015415:Biomarkers; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D002784:Cholesterol; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid