Serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in CSF. Difference in Parkinson's disease and dementia of the Alzheimer's type
L. Volicer, L. K. Direnfeld, M. Freedman, M. L. Albert, P. J. Langlias and E. D. Bird
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.
