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Neurotransmitter markers in the cerebrospinal fluid of normal subjects effects of aging and other confounding factors

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Summary

We have investigated neurotransmitter-related markers of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a carefully screened series of normally aging subjects in standardized conditions in order to find out the influence of age and other confounding factors on CSF measures. The levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyglycol (MHPG) and the activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) also increased with age, while homovanillic acid (HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5 HIAA) and immunoreactivities of somatostatin (SLI), beta-endorphin (BLI) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were unrelated to age. The gender of subjects had no significant effect on the levels of neurotransmitter markers, while seasonal changes, as well as height and weight of the subjects seemed to cause some variations in the levels of HVA, dopamine-Β-hydroxylase (DBH) and ACTH. The study underscores the importance of standardized conditions and matched patient groups in the CSF studies.

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  1. P. J. Riekkinen

    Present address: Department of Neurology, University of Kuopio, Finland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Kuopio, Finland

    P. Hartikainen, H. Soininen & K. J. Reinikainen

  2. Neurochemical Research Laboratory, University of Kuopio, Finland

    J. Sirviö & R. Soikkeli

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  1. P. Hartikainen
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  2. H. Soininen
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Hartikainen, P., Soininen, H., Reinikainen, K.J. et al. Neurotransmitter markers in the cerebrospinal fluid of normal subjects effects of aging and other confounding factors. J. Neural Transmission 84, 103–117 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01249114

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