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Difference in Parkinson's Disease and Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type

Ladislav Volicer, MD, PhD; Lorne K. Direnfeld, MD; Morris Freedman, MD; Martin L. Albert, MD; Philip J. Langlais, MA; Edward D. Bird, MD

Arch Neurol. 1985;42(2):127-129.

Abstract
• Serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels were measured in the sixth, 13th, and 20th milliliters of CSF in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) and Parkinson's disease (PD), and in an aliquot of CSF in controls. In patients with PD there was a positive correlation between 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels in the 20th milliliter of CSF, while in patients with DAT there was a negative correlation of these levels in this CSF fraction. In patients with the senile form of DAT the 5-HIAA levels in the 20th milliliter of CSF were higher than in patients with PD. These results indicate differential involvement of the serotoninergic system in DAT and PD, and may lead to the development of a chemical marker for DAT.

Author Affiliations
From the Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, E. N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, Mass (Dr Volicer); Boston Veterans Administration Medical Center (Drs Direnfeld, Freedman, and Albert); the Departments of Pharmacology (Dr Volicer) and Neurology (Dr Albert), Boston University Medical School; McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass (Dr Bird and Mr Langlais); and Harvard Medical School, Boston (Dr Bird and Mr Langlais). Dr Direnfeld is now with Maui Clinic, Kahalui, Maui, Hawaii, and Dr Freedman is now with the University of Toronto.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication April 11, 1984.

Read before the Society for Neuroscience Meeting, Boston, Nov 10, 1983.

Reprint requests to VA Hospital, GRECC, 200 Springs Rd, Bedford, MA 01730 (Dr Volicer).

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