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CSF 5-HIAA correlates with neuroticism in depressed patients
1Psychiatry Service, Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Healthcare System, East Orange 07019, USA.
Background:
To examine for relationships between neurotransmitters and personality.
Method:
27 depressed patients had cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) monoamine metabolites measured and completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).
Result:
CSF concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) correlated significantly with EPQ neuroticism scores.
Conclusion:
Central serotonin may play a role in neuroticism, a personality dimension predisposing to depression.
Limitation:
The positive correlation may partly reflect collinear relationships between both variables and anxiety/depression.
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