J Korean Neurol Assoc.  1988 Dec;6(2):145-152.

Neurotransmitters and their Metabolites in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Normal Adults

• Ahn JH
• Kim JS
• Sunwoo IN
• Kim DG
• Ahn YS

Abstract

The measurement of monoamine neurotransmitters and their metabolites lin the cerebrospinal fluid has important implications for the identification of those disorders assosciated with the central nervous system. The purpose of this study was to measure the concentrations of the biogenic amines and their metabolites using high performance liquid chromatography electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) in CSF of normal adults. Sixteen adults who were admitted to Severance Hospital from February to March, 1988 and presented no history of neurological disease with normal CSF findings were included in this study. The results were as follows: 1. Neither dopamine nor norepinephrine were detected in the CSF. 2. Serotonin was detected in 3 cases and 3.4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) was measured in 4 cases, but all in small amouints. 3. Homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in all 16 cases, but 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG) was noted in 12 cases. The mean CSF concentrations of HVA, 5-HIAA, MHPG were 37.01 + 21.14ng/ml (ranging 6.14 - 81.15 ng/ml), respectively. 4. The concentrations of 5-HIAA and MHPG were correlated positively with age, but not the concentration of HVA. 5. Higher concentration of HVA, 5-HIAA and MHPG were found in femalse than males. These results indicate that the metabolites HVA, 5-HIAA and MHPG can be simultaneously measured in the human CSF by using HPLC-ECD, and this information may be valuable for the further study of centarl nervous system diseases.

MeSH Terms

Adult*
Biogenic Amines
Central Nervous System
Cerebrospinal Fluid*
Chromatography, Liquid
Dopamine
Homovanillic Acid
Humans
Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
Male
Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
Nervous System Diseases
Neurotransmitter Agents*
Norepinephrine
Serotonin
Biogenic Amines
Dopamine
Homovanillic Acid
Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol
Neurotransmitter Agents
Norepinephrine
Serotonin