Developmental changes in the concentrations of CSF neurotransmitter metabolites
Yamamoto, H.; Egawa, B.; Horiguchi, K.; Kaku, A.; Yamada, K.
No to Hattatsu 25(1): 40-44
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0029-0831 PMID: 8093228 Document Number: 408711
Changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neurotransmitter metabolite concentrations in 32 neurologically normal children aged 0 month to 7 years were analyzed to assess maturation of the central nervous system and compared to CSF from adults. Significant inverse correlations with aging were observed for tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, kynurenine, tyrosine, L-dihydroxyphenylalanine, dopamine, homovanillic acid and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol concentrations. There were no significant differences with aging in CSF serotonin or 3-hydroxykynurenine concentrations. These findings demonstrated that changes in major CSF neurotransmitters occurred with aging during childhood. The importance of age-matched controls in studies of CSF neurotransmitter metabolites in the developing brain was emphasized.