title: CSF levels of HVA and 5-HIAA in drug-free schizophrenic patients and healthy controls: a prospective study focused on their predictive value for outcome in schizophrenia.
abstract: The CSF levels of HVA and 5-HIAA were determined in 90 drug-free DSM-III-R schizophrenic patients and 47 healthy control subjects, and their predictive value for 5-year outcome was evaluated. CSF was collected by lumbar puncture at index admission, and in 37 of the patients a second sample was drawn after approx. 7 weeks of neuroleptic treatment. Outcome was rated prospectively 5 years after index admission by means of the Strauss-Carpenter outcome scale. Schizophrenic patients had significantly lower levels of HVA in the CSF than the control group, but no difference was found for 5-HIAA. The CSF-amine metabolite levels were not correlated with age at admission, age at first symptoms or duration of the disorder. Neither HVA nor 5-HIAA correlated with the total outcome scores at a 1- and 5-year follow-up evaluation. First-admitted previously untreated patients with the poorest 5-year outcome had significantly lower HVA/5-HIAA quotients than those with a good outcome. Furthermore, patients still having a low HVA/5-HIAA quotient after treatment with neuroleptics had a poorer 5-year outcome than patients with an increased quotient. The data indicate that both HVA and 5-HIAA in the CSF, and especially their sensitivity to neuroleptic treatment, have a predictive value for the prognosis in schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Ulleråker, Sweden.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Wieselgren
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Lindström
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D006719:Homovanillic Acid