title: Neuropsychological investigation into the carcinoid syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In patients suffering from metastatic carcinoid tumors, chronic disturbances of serotonergic metabolism are frequently present. Serotonin is supposed to influence a range of cognitive functions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present study evaluated the cognitive performance of carcinoid patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 14 patients with proven carcinoid syndrome, neuropsychological functioning was studied. Visual search, sustained attention, set shifting ability and spatial working memory were assessed using tests from the CANTAB neuropsychological battery. This was compared with the performance of matched healthy controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma tryptophan levels were lower than controls. Patients showed an enhanced ability to learn new stimulus-response associations. Sustained visual attention, however, was impaired.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cognitive patterns were different from those found in depressive patients and partly mimicked those found in tryptophan depletion experiments. Further investigation has to point out the role of serotonergic changes in the accomplishment of affective states.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, PO Box 30.001, 9700, RB Groningen, The Netherlands. s.r.russo@acggn.azg.nl
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: M M A
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Nielen
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Boon
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Kema
authors.forename: P H B
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Willemse
authors.forename: E G E
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Korf
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: den Boer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001288:Attention; D002276:Carcinoid Tumor / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D004193:Discrimination Learning; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011930:Reaction Time; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000097:blood / Q000172:deficiency; D014796:Visual Perception
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan