Changes of cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites during long-term antidepressant treatment.
This study describes the changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) monoamine metabolites during antidepressant treatment for more than 6 months. Eight patients, who received antidepressant treatment after attempted suicide and then underwent lumbar punctures every 3 or 4 months, were included. Plasma drug concentrations and the clinical outcome were also measured. Consistent with previous reports about antidepressant treatment for between 3 and 6 weeks, both 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MHPG) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were significantly decreased after treatment for a mean of 15 weeks compared to pretreatment. However, after continued treatment for a mean of 30 weeks the MHPG concentration remained significantly lower than at pretreatment while 5-HIAA had returned to the pretreatment level. The clinical outcome was significantly correlated to the pretreatment 5-HIAA/MHPG ratio. These results suggest that the frequently reported reduction in CSF 5-HIAA after antidepressant treatment does not remain during long-term treatment.
Bäckman
J
J
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychiatry, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Alling
C
C
Alsén
M
M
Regnéll
G
G
Träskman-Bendz
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019263:Dysthymic Disorder / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D013997:Time Factors
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D006719:Homovanillic Acid