Prospective evaluation of circulatory levels of catecholamines and serotonin in neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) may be associated with a dysregulation of the catecholaminergic and serotonergic systems. The objective of the present study was to evaluate prospectively the circulatory levels of serotonin (5-HT), epinephrine (E) and dopa in patients suffering from NMS.


METHODS
Platelet-poor plasma (PPP) levels of serotonin, epinephrine and dopa in eight NMS patients were measured twice: in the acute state and in the state of remission.


RESULTS
PPP dopa concentration was significantly lower in acute NMS state compared to the remission state (P = 0.023). In contrast, PPP E level was significantly higher (P = 0.019) in the acute NMS state and PPP 5-HT concentrations in the acute state tended to be higher than those at remission (P = 0.078). 5-HT/dopa ratio was significantly higher in the acute NMS (P = 0.015).


CONCLUSIONS
These results may reflect reduction in dopaminergic function and increase in adrenergic and serotonergic activity in the acute NMS state.
Spivak
B
B
Research Unit, Ness-Ziona Mental Health Center, Israel.
Maline
D I
DI
Vered
Y
Y
Kozyrev
V N
VN
Mester
R
R
Neduva
S A
SA
Ravilov
R S
RS
Graff
E
E
Weizman
A
A
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D002395:Catecholamines / Q000097:blood*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine / Q000097:blood; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood*
D002395:Catecholamines; D012701:Serotonin; D004295:Dihydroxyphenylalanine; D004837:Epinephrine