Biogenic amine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with affective disorders.

Abstract

Concentrations of homovanillic acid (HVA), 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) and 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were measured in lumbar CSF from 33 patients with affective illnes and from 23 neurological controls. The group of patients with affective illness comprised 29 depressed and four manic patients. During illness, the concentration of HVA was higher in the depressed patients (P >0.001) than in the controls. Both unipolar and bipolar depressed patients had increased HVA levels (P >0.001 and P >0.05, respectively). The concentration of MHPG was greater than control values in the unipolar (P < 0.001) and bipolar (P < 0.002) subgroups but did not differ from control values in the depressed group as a whole. The concentration of 5‐HIAA in the depressed patients as a whole and in the unipolar and bipolar subgroups did not differ from control concentrations. During illness the manic patients had increased levels of HVA (P >0.01) and normal levels of 5‐HIAA and MHPG. Sixteen of the 29 depressed patients had a second lumbar puncture after they had recovered. Compared with the pre‐recovery values, the concentration of HVA was reduced in the unipolar depressives (P < 0.01) and the concentration of 5‐HIAA lowered in the depressed group as a whole (P >0.02).The present findings suggest involvement of catecholamines in affective disorders.