Aberrant monoamine metabolite levels in CSF and family history of schizophrenia. Their relationships in schizophrenic patients
G. C. Sedvall and B. Wode-Helgodt
In 36 drug-free schizophrenic patients, lumbar CSF was analyzed by mass
fragmentography for the major monoaminergic transmitter metabolites
5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), and
3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG). High or deviant concentrations of
5-HIAA were significantly related to a family history of schizophrenia. For
patients with deviant 5-HIAA levels, the probability for a family history
of schizophrenia was eight times higher than in subjects with normal
values. High concentrations of HVA also tended to be significantly related
to a family history of schizoprenia. The majority of schizophrenic
patients, who lacked family history for the disorder, had normal monoamine
metabolite concentrations in CSF. The results suggest a coupling between
biochemical variables related to central serotonin and dopamine metabolism
and forms of schizophrenia that have a familial disposition.
