Abstract
Neurological and psychiatric disorders occur in about 6 percent of the global population indicating a significant amount of people suffering from neurological disorder on a varying range in day to day life. On an extensive view, there is a critical requirement for the development of an alternative biomarker for these conditions. The thwart found in developing a biomarker is the difficulty in identifying a serum biomarker as these are mostly limited to the central nervous system (CNS). Serotonin being a neurotransmitter synthesized in the raphe nuclei of the brain could serve as an alternative biomarker. Here, the limitation is that it’s quickly metabolized by the mitochondrial enzyme MAO to 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5HIAA). This subsequent metabolite can be used for the analysis of serotonin levels in brain by analysing its concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Many theories suggest that the variations in serotonin level could lead to the development of many neurological and psychiatric disorders like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), schizophrenia, depression and so on. A decreased level is noticed in these patients but this could either be due to decreased production or increased reuptake of serotonin from the neuronal synapses. For instance, we know that a patient with depression shows a significant reduction in the levels of 5HIAA, due to the location of the raphe nuclei within regions of memory and cognition. Similarly, it does shows variation in AD and mild cognitive disorder. Evolving of 5HIAA as a biomarker, could be more delicate and enhanced strategy for monitoring these disorders.
Highlights
Biomarkers, known as biological markers are objective measures of biochemical or molecular parameters which are usually associated with the presence or sometimes the severity of a particular disease conditions or state
The aim of this study is to identify the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA) as a potential biomarker for the neurological and psychiatric disorders
In a study conducted by Robinson et al, the no of patients with postoperative surgery who had developed delirium was having a much lower levels amino acid tryptophan to the number of postoperative surgery patients who have not developed delirium.47According to a study by Banki and Vojnik, it found that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of 5- HIAA along with the serum serotonin levels on the clinical studies conducted on patients suffering from delirium tremors and other schizophrenic patients with acute clozapine induced delirium on simultaneous studies showed a significant raise.[48]
Summary
Biomarkers, known as biological markers are objective measures of biochemical or molecular parameters which are usually associated with the presence or sometimes the severity of a particular disease conditions or state. The aim of this study is to identify the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid (5-HIAA) as a potential biomarker for the neurological and psychiatric disorders. The biomarkers such as serotonin can be helpful for early diagnosis along with severity and time course of the condition. Synthesis of serotonin According to Pharmacorama, the 5 hydroxy tryptamine or serotonin is synthesized from an amino acid which is able to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB) as the L-tryptophan. Women are more likely to be affected than men, around 70% women experiences depression; young adults are the most prone age group for depression.[17,18,19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
