A total of 114 subjects (41 depressed, 20 schizophrenic, 15 manic, and
38 normal controls) underwent lumbar puncture and their CSF was analyzed
for levels of tyrosine, tryptophan, homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-
hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG),
choline, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and calcium. Results showed that
depressed patients, particularly those over 40 years of age, had lower
levels of GABA than did controls, and that their level of HVA increased
with age, while controls' decreased. Schizophrenic subjects tended to have
higher levels of 5-HIAA and manic subjects tended to have higher levels of
HVA and MHPG. Age-associated changes were found in HVA, 5-HIAA, MHPG, GABA,
and choline concentrations.
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