Abstract
To examine the role of noradrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic mechanisms in the pathobiology of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and Tourette's syndrome (TS), concentrations of tyrosine (TYR), norepinephrine (NE), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA), tryptophan (TRP), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 39 medication-free OCD patients, 33 medication-free TS patients, and 44 healthy volunteers. CSF TYR concentrations were reduced (p < .05) in the OCD patients compared to the healthy subjects. CSF NE in TS patients was 55% higher than in healthy controls (p < .001) and 35% higher than in OCD patients (p < .001). After covarying for height, CSF HVA levels were reduced (p <.05) in the OCD group compared to TS patients but not compared to the normal volunteers. No mean differences in CSF MHPG, TRP, and 5-HIAA were observed in this study across the three groups. The CSF NE data support the hypothesis that noradrenergic mechanisms are involved in the pathobiology of TS. Alterations in the balance of noradrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems are likely involved in the pathobiology of OCD.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Leckman, J., Goodman, W., Anderson, G. et al. Cerebrospinal Fluid Biogenic Amines in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Tourette's Syndrome, and Healthy Controls. Neuropsychopharmacol 12, 73–86 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.npp.1380241
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.npp.1380241
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
The neurobiological link between OCD and ADHD
ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders (2014)
-
Involvement of tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene polymorphisms in susceptibility to tic disorder in Chinese Han population
Behavioral and Brain Functions (2013)
-
Discrete Forebrain Neuronal Networks Supporting Noradrenergic Regulation of Sensorimotor Gating
Neuropsychopharmacology (2011)
-
Pharmacological Stimulation of Locus Coeruleus Reveals a New Antipsychotic-Responsive Pathway for Deficient Sensorimotor Gating
Neuropsychopharmacology (2011)
-
Correlates of comorbid anxiety and externalizing disorders in childhood obsessive compulsive disorder
European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (2010)