CSF monoamine patterns in pathological gamblers and healthy controls

Abstract

Previous reports on compounds in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of pathological gamblers have focused on disturbed NA, DA and 5-HT function in the central nervous system. We have analysed precursors, transmitters and transmitter metabolites in 3 × 6 ml of CSF obtained from one female and 11 male pathological gamblers and 11 healthy male controls lumbar punctured at the L4-5 level after 8 h of fasting without preceding strict bedrest. Pathological gamblers displayed lower CSF levels of tryptophan and 5-HT while the opposite was the case for 5-HIAA, tyrosine, DA, HVA, DOPAC and HMPG. In contrast to previous studies, the NA level did not differ between pathological gamblers and healthy controls. A disrupted CSF gradient was noted for tryptophan, 5-HT, DA, HVA, DOPAC, NA and HMPG, but only in pathological gamblers. A disrupted gradient was found for 5-HIAA in both pathological gamblers and healthy controls. The results are in line with the presence of altered indoleamine and cathecholamine function in pathological gamblers as well as an altered CSF transport from the brain to the lumbar compartment in such gamblers.