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.
Laboratory of Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
J R
JR
Hibbeln
M
M
Linnoila
J C
JC
Umhau
R
R
Rawlings
D T
DT
George
N
N
Salem
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