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Characterization of cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites in peripubertal chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
M B Fontenot1, M W Musso, S L Watson
1Division of Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisiana at Lafayette-New Iberia Research Center, New Iberia, LA 70562-3610, USA. bfontenot@louisiana.edu
Background:
Assessment of cerebrospinal (CSF) monoamine metabolites 5-hydroxyindoeacetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA), and the serotonin precursor tryptophan (TRP), in chimpanzees may help in understanding the neurobiology underlying aggressive, impulsive behavior in humans and non-human primates.
Methods:
Two CSF samples were obtained from 11 peripubertal chimpanzees 8 months apart and were assayed for monoamine metabolite and TRP concentrations.
Results:
Substantial inter-individual stability was observed for 5-HIAA (n = 11; r = 0.83, P < 0.001) and HVA (r = 0.91, P < 0.001). Females had significantly higher concentrations of 5-HIAA compared to males (F(1,8) = 7.31; P < 0.05). Levels of 5-HIAA (r = -0.62, P < 0.05), HVA (r = -0.86, P < 0.001) and TRP levels (r = -0.67; P < 0.05) decreased with age.
Conclusion:
Close parallels were observed between chimpanzees and humans with respect to absolute levels, sex effects, ontogeny, and 5-HIAA-HVA correlations, supporting the potential utility of the measures in understanding relationships between monoamine functioning and behavior in chimpanzees and humans.
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