Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026

Using Enzyme-based Biosensors to Measure Tonic and Phasic Glutamate in Alzheimer's Mouse Models
Published on: May 3, 2017
Abnormal neurotransmitter metabolite levels in Alzheimer patients with a delirium
Tischa J M van der Cammen1, Henning Tiemeier, Marianne J Engelhart
1Section of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. t.vandercammen@erasmusmc.nl
Background:
Delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome with an acute onset and fluctuating course. Several studies have suggested the presence of disturbed cholinergic, dopaminergic and serotonergic pathways in delirium as well as in Alzheimer's disease. Abnormal concentrations of amino acids and of neurotransmitter metabolites have been found in plasma, platelets and cerebrospinal fluid of AD patients, and in plasma and CSF of patients with a delirium. The aim of this study was to investigate amino acid and neurotransmitter metabolite levels in plasma of AD patients with a concurrent delirium.
Methods:
In a case-control study of patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) with concurrent delirium, we investigated the contribution of delirium to some biochemical parameters in blood. We compared plasma amino acid and neurotransmitter metabolite levels of 17 delirious AD patients with those of 17 age- and gender-matched non-delirious AD patients and 29 age- and gender-matched controls.
Results:
Homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels were higher in delirious AD patients than in controls, but only HVA concentrations were higher in delirious AD patients than in non-delirious AD patients.
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that central dopaminergic and serotonergic turnover are increased in AD patients with delirium and that the high dopaminergic turnover might reflect the consequences of delirium.
More Related Videos
05:14Standardized Data Acquisition for Neuromelanin-Sensitive Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Substantia Nigra
Published on: September 8, 2021
07:08A High Throughput, Multiplexed and Targeted Proteomic CSF Assay to Quantify Neurodegenerative Biomarkers and Apolipoprotein E Isoforms Status
Published on: October 20, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory
Glutamate and Synaptic Plasticity
Glutamate, the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter, is critical for...
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Synthesis