[CSF monoamine metabolites in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy].

Neurochemical abnormalities in the patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are not well understood. We investigated CSF levels of the monoamine metabolites HVA, 5HIAA and MHPG in 5 patients with PSP in order to investigate, especially dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic metabolism. Results were as follows (value; mena +/- S.D.). [table: see text] The levels of HVA were significantly lower than those in controls. These findings suggest that there is a hypofunction of dopaminergic neurons in PSP patients.