Higher Levels of CSF Homovanillic Acid in Recently Abstinent Cocaine-Dependent Patients
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The authors examined an index of dopaminergic neurotransmission in recently abstinent cocaine-dependent patients. METHOD: CSF concentrations of the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA) were determined in 30 recently abstinent cocaine-dependent patients and 69 healthy comparison subjects. RESULTS: The cocaine-dependent patients had a significantly higher mean concentration of CSF HVA than did the healthy comparison group. CONCLUSIONS: Recently abstinent cocaine-dependent patients may show dysregulation of the central dopaminergic system.