Biogenic amine metabolism in juvenile neurocardiogenic syncope with dysautonomia. (26th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Butler, Ian J.; Lankford, Jeremy E.; Hashmi, Syed Shahrukh; Numan, Mohammed T.
• Is Part Of: Annals of clinical and translational neurology. Volume 1:Number 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 251
• Page End: 257
• Publication Date: 2014-03-26
• Subjects: Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1002/acn3.49
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-9503

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="acn349-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="acn349-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Biogenic amine brain levels and their cerebral metabolism are frequently studied by quantitation of biogenic amine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) compared to age‐matched controls. There is a paucity of studies in adolescents and young adults investigating the potential role of disordered cerebral biogenic amine metabolism in young patients who have dysautonomia based on abnormal head‐up tilt table (HUTT).</p> </sec> <sec id="acn349-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In a cohort of juvenile patients with neurocardiogenic syncope and dysautonomia documented by abnormal HUTT, biogenic amine metabolites of dopamine and serotonin were quantitated in 18 patients (15 females). HUTT testing is an effective clinical method to evaluate posturally induced physiological events in patients suspected of neurocardiogenic syncope with dysautonomia.</p> </sec> <sec id="acn349-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Levels of the dopamine metabolite (homovanillic acid: HVA) and/or the serotonin metabolite (5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid: 5HIAA) were significantly reduced in 13 patients compared to age‐matched controls.</p> </sec> <sec id="acn349-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Interpretation</title> <p>Peripheral biogenic amines and their metabolites have been extensively studied in adults with dysautonomia due to various neurodegenerative disorders (Parkinson disease, multiple system atrophy, primary autonomic failure). Our findings indicate that more than two‐thirds of this cohort of young patients with dysautonomia of variable severity have a defect in cerebral biogenic amines, particularly in dopamine and serotonin metabolism.</p> </sec> </abstract>