Cerebrospinal fluid levels of monoamine compounds and cholecystokinin peptides after exposure to standardized barometric pressure.
BACKGROUND
Connections between mood changes and weather have been described throughout the ages, and in more recent years, there have been reports on a relationship between atmospheric pressure and neurotransmitter levels in cerebrospinal fluid.


METHODS
To further investigate this issue under strictly standardized conditions, we have lumbar-punctured 8 healthy males under low (963 hPa) and high (1064 hPa) barometric pressure, using a pressure chamber.


RESULTS
Under high pressure, the tyrosine concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were lower, while the cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK-4) levels were higher. No differences between low and high pressure were found for tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), dopamine (DA), and sulphated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8S). The serum level of CCK-8S was higher under high pressure. On comparing concentration ratios between the second and the first CSF fraction, we found significantly increased ratios for homovanillic acid (HVA) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol (HMPG), but a decreased ratio for tyrosine under high pressure. The difference in the concentration ratios of HVA between low and high pressure correlated negatively with age. Intraspinal pressure correlated negatively with tapping time at low pressure.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results are in line with the hypothesis that atmospheric pressure influences CSF levels of monoamine compounds and cholecystokinin peptides.
Eklundh
T
T
Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Family Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge Hospital, Sweden. thomas.eklund@cspo.sll.se
Gunnarsson
T
T
Ornhagen
H
H
Nordin
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000367:Age Factors; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D004298:Dopamine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D008297:Male; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D012844:Sincalide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D013758:Tetragastrin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D013997:Time Factors; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
C090019:8-sulfocholecystokinin octapeptide; D013758:Tetragastrin; D014443:Tyrosine; D008734:Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D014364:Tryptophan; D012844:Sincalide; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid