Cerebrospinal fluid levels of monoamine metabolites in panic disorder

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of the serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA), the noradrenaline metabolite 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), and the dopamine metabolite homovanillic acid (HVA) did not differ significantly in a group of patients with panic disorder (n = 17) as compared to age- and sex-matched normal controls (n = 17). While CSF concentrations of HVA and 5HIAA were significantly correlated in both patients and controls, CSF MHPG levels were significantly correlated with the concentrations of CSF 5HIAA and HVA only in patients. In a small number of subjects (n = 5), successful reduction of anxiety attacks by administration of clomipramine or imipramine (50-150 mg/day) for at least 2 months was associated with a significant decrease in CSF concentrations of 5HIAA and MHPG, but not HVA.