Cerebrospinal fluid monoamines in Prader-Willi syndrome.
BACKGROUND
The behavioral phenotype of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) suggests hypothalamic dysfunction and altered neurotransmitter regulation. The purpose of this study was to examine whether there was any difference in the concentrations of monoamine metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in PWS and non-PWS comparison cases.


METHODS
The concentration of monoamine metabolites in CSF was determined in 13 children and adolescents with PWS diagnosed on clinical and genetic criteria. The concentrations were compared with those from 56 comparison cases in healthy and other contrast groups.


RESULTS
The concentrations of dopamine and particularly serotonin metabolites were increased in the PWS group. The differences were most prominent for 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. The increased concentrations were found in all PWS cases independently of age, body mass index, and level of mental retardation.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings implicate dysfunction of the serotonergic system and possibly also of the dopamine system in PWS individuals, and might help inform future psychopharmacologic studies.
Akefeldt
A
A
Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Göteborg, Mölndal.
Ekman
R
R
Gillberg
C
C
Månsson
J E
JE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications; D001724:Birth Weight / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D007223:Infant; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D009765:Obesity / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000150:complications; D010641:Phenotype; D011218:Prader-Willi Syndrome / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; C021209:isoMHPG; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D006719:Homovanillic Acid