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Cerebrospinal fluid monoaminergic metabolites are elevated in adults with Down's syndrome
Author(s) -
Kay Arthur D.,
Schapiro Mark B.,
Riker Amy K.,
Haxby James V.,
Rapoport Stanley I.,
Cutler Neal R.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
annals of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.764
H-Index - 296
eISSN - 1531-8249
pISSN - 0364-5134
DOI - 10.1002/ana.410210416
Subject(s) - homovanillic acid , monoaminergic , monoamine neurotransmitter , norepinephrine , medicine , cerebrospinal fluid , endocrinology , dopamine , serotonin , metabolite , neurotransmitter , biogenic amine , psychology , central nervous system , receptor
Under conditions of rest and a low monoamine diet, brain monoamine activity was examined in young (<35 years) and old (>35 years) adults with Down's syndrome and in control subjects by measuring the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma concentrations of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, and of 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 3‐methoxy 4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), the respective metabolites of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. There were no age‐related differences in metabolite concentrations in either the Down's syndrome or control subjects. CSF concentrations of 5‐HIAA, HVA, and norepinephrine were significantly higher in young subjects with Down's syndrome as compared with young controls, and CSF concentrations of 5‐HIAA and norepinephrine were significantly higher, by twofold or more, in old subjects with Down's syndrome as compared with older controls. The results suggest that monoamine turnover and brain functional activity involving monoamines is elevated in Down's syndrome, and that the early neuropathological changes in the disorder are not associated with a monoamine deficit.