Acid monoamine metabolites in the CSF of healthy controls punctured without preceding bedrest: A retrospective study

Data were obtained from 46 healthy volunteers, 16 males and 30 females, lumbar punctured at the L4-5 level without strict bedrest prior to puncture. 18 mi of CSF was collected at the puncture, which was performed with a 0.9 mm diameter needle. Contradictory to previous reports, body height did not influence CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) or homovanillic acid (HVA). Age influenced HVA (but not 5-HIAA) in a curvilinear manner in male volunteers and the HVA/S-HIAA ratio in females. In contrast to previously reported correlations between 5-HIAA and HVA, a weak correlation was found, but only in females. In males, body weight related to 5-HIAA and atmospheric pressure to HVA, both in a positive direction. Our findings are largely contradictory to previous reports, a fact that might, hypothetically, be due to the absence of strict bedrest before puncture. The use of a comparatively wide needle (0.9 mm in diameter) and the amount of 18 mi CSF drawn might, taken together, make at least some contribution to an explanation. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.