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Characterization of cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites in peripubertal chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes )
Author(s) -
Fontenot M.B.,
Musso M.W.,
Watson S.L.,
Anderson G.M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2009.00391.x
Subject(s) - monoamine neurotransmitter , homovanillic acid , cerebrospinal fluid , serotonin , medicine , endocrinology , metabolite , monoaminergic , ontogeny , neurochemical , biology , receptor
Background Assessment of cerebrospinal (CSF) monoamine metabolites 5‐hydroxyindoeacetic acid (5‐HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and the serotonin precursor tryptophan (TRP), in chimpanzees may help in understanding the neurobiology underlying aggressive, impulsive behavior in humans and non‐human primates. Methods Two CSF samples were obtained from 11 peripubertal chimpanzees 8 months apart and were assayed for monoamine metabolite and TRP concentrations. Results Substantial inter‐individual stability was observed for 5‐HIAA (n = 11; r = 0.83, P < 0.001) and HVA (r = 0.91, P < 0.001). Females had significantly higher concentrations of 5‐HIAA compared to males (F 1,8 = 7.31; P < 0.05). Levels of 5‐HIAA (r = −0.62, P < 0.05), HVA (r = −0.86, P < 0.001) and TRP levels (r = −0.67; P < 0.05) decreased with age. Conclusion Close parallels were observed between chimpanzees and humans with respect to absolute levels, sex effects, ontogeny, and 5‐HIAA‐HVA correlations, supporting the potential utility of the measures in understanding relationships between monoamine functioning and behavior in chimpanzees and humans.