Characterization of cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites in peripubertal chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes).
BACKGROUND
Assessment of cerebrospinal (CSF) monoamine metabolites 5-hydroxyindoeacetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and the serotonin precursor tryptophan (TRP), in chimpanzees may help in understanding the neurobiology underlying aggressive, impulsive behavior in humans and non-human primates.


METHODS
Two CSF samples were obtained from 11 peripubertal chimpanzees 8 months apart and were assayed for monoamine metabolite and TRP concentrations.


RESULTS
Substantial inter-individual stability was observed for 5-HIAA (n = 11; r = 0.83, P < 0.001) and HVA (r = 0.91, P < 0.001). Females had significantly higher concentrations of 5-HIAA compared to males (F(1,8) = 7.31; P < 0.05). Levels of 5-HIAA (r = -0.62, P < 0.05), HVA (r = -0.86, P < 0.001) and TRP levels (r = -0.67; P < 0.05) decreased with age.


CONCLUSIONS
Close parallels were observed between chimpanzees and humans with respect to absolute levels, sex effects, ontogeny, and 5-HIAA-HVA correlations, supporting the potential utility of the measures in understanding relationships between monoamine functioning and behavior in chimpanzees and humans.
Division of Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisiana at Lafayette-New Iberia Research Center, New Iberia, LA 70562-3610, USA. bfontenot@louisiana.edu
M B
MB
Fontenot
M W
MW
Musso
S L
SL
Watson
G M
GM
Anderson
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D056148:Chromatography, Reverse-Phase / Q000662:veterinary; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006719:Homovanillic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D008297:Male; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D012737:Sex Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014364:Tryptophan / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D014364:Tryptophan; D004298:Dopamine; D006719:Homovanillic Acid