Neurotransmitters and their Metabolites in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Normal Adults

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 6(2); 1988 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 1988;6(2): 145-152.

한국인 정상성인의 뇌척수액내 신경전달물질 및 그 대사물질에 대한 연구

안재훈, 김진수, 선우일남, 김동구, 안영수

연세대학교 신경과, 약리학.

Neurotransmitters and their Metabolites in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Normal Adults

Jae-Hoon Ahn, M.D., Jin-Soo Kim, M.D., Il-Nam Sunwoo, M.D. Dong-Goo Kim, M.D., Young-Soo Ahn, M.D.

Department of Neurology, Yonsei University, College of Medicine Department of Pharmacology, Yonsei University, College of Medicine

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.