CSF-amine metabolites in depression, dementia and in controls.

Lumbar CSF concentration of 5-HIAA, MHPG, and HVA were measured in patients with depression, dementia due to normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and in controls. Moreover, ventricular concentrations of the metabolites were measured in patients with NPH. It was aimed to match patients and controls for age, sex, and body height. Non-parametric statistics were used throughout the study. No differences in lumbar concentrations of CSF 5-HIAA, MHPG and HVA were found between the different diagnostic groups. A ventriculo-lumbar gradient of 5-HIAA and HVA being 4:1 and 5:1, respectively, was found in patients with NPH. No correlation between the difference in ventricular and lumbar concentrations and body height was found, suggesting that body height may be an inaccurate measure for the rostro-caudal gradient. Moreover, no correlation between ventricular and lumbar levels of 5-HIAA and HVA was seen.