title: The effect of lumbar puncture stress on dopamine and serotonin metabolites in human cerebrospinal fluid.
abstract: In order to examine concentrations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurochemicals, the technique of lumbar puncture is typically used. However, the effect of the intrinsic stress of undergoing a lumbar puncture on CSF monoamine concentrations in humans has not yet been established. We used lumbar puncture followed 3 h later by continuous CSF sampling to examine the effect of lumbar puncture on levels of the dopamine and serotonin metabolites homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), respectively. Additionally, we examined the effect of lumbar puncture on the CSF HVA to 5-HIAA ratio. Immediately post lumbar puncture, CSF concentrations of HVA and 5-HIAA were, respectively, only 51 and 54% of the mean levels detected hours later. However, the HVA to 5-HIAA ratio remained stable during lumbar puncture. While HVA and 5-HIAA levels in CSF obtained via lumbar puncture reflect highly variable responses to the stress of the procedure, the ratio of these metabolites is unaffected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, OH 45267, USA.
authors.forename: K K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: West
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Ekhator
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wortman
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Geracioti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012016:Reference Values; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*; D013129:Spinal Puncture / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid