Am J Psychiatry 1977; 134:565-568
Copyright © 1977 by American Psychiatric Association
Norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol gradients in human cerebrospinal fluid
MG Ziegler, JH Wood, R Lake and IJ Kopin
The presence of abnormal levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol (MHPG)
in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of some patients with affective disorders
may indicate abnormal norepinephrine metabolism in these patients. The
authors evaluated the relationship between norepinephrine and MHPG in CSF
and found that both are present in increasing levels as more CSF is removed
from the lumbar puncture needle. Norepinephrine and MHPG are closely
related, although norepinephrine levels are more variable within and
between subjects. Both norepinephrine and MHPG levels in CSF should provide
important information about norepinephrine metabolism in affective
disorders.
