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Cerebrospinal Fluid Measures of Homovanillic Acid and 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid

Donald J. Cohen, MD; Bennett A. Shaywitz, MD; Warren T. Johnson; Malcolm Bowers, Jr., MD

Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1974;31(6):845-853.

Abstract
Central nervous system biogenic amine metabolism was studied in 35 children suffering from autism, atypical development, epilespy, and movement disorders. After oral administration of probenecid, a membrane blocking compound, a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample was obtained for assay of homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA), and probenecid. The concentrations of HVA and 5HIAA in the CSF are thought to reflect the rate of formation in the brain of their parent amines, dopamine and serotonin, respectively.

There are statistically significant differences in CSF HVA and 5HIAA levels between the psychotic and epileptic children. The HVA and 5HIAA are significantly correlated with each other. Each of these acid metabolites covaries with the CSF levels of probenecid and interpretation of the significance of CSF HVA and 5HIAA requires simultaneous measurement of probenecid concentration.

Author Affiliations
From the departments of psychiatry (Drs. Cohen and Bowers), pediatrics (Drs. Cohen and Shaywitz), neurology (Dr. Shaywitz), and the Child Study Center (Dr. Cohen and Mr. Johnson), Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication June 11, 1974.

Reprint requests to the Yale University Child Study Center, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510 (Dr. Cohen).

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