Reduced concentrations of arginine vasopressin and MHPG in lumbar CSF of patients with Korsakoff's psychosis.

The concentrations of arginine vasopressin (AVP), somatostatin (SS), and the primary brain metabolites of norepinephrine (MHPG), serotonin (5-HIAA), and dopamine (HVA) were measured in samples of lumbar CSF obtained from ten amnesics with Korsakoff's psychosis, four patients with a history of Korsakoff's psychosis who had recovered from the amnesic symptoms of this disease, and control subjects. Significant deficits were observed in the amnesic group for AVP and MHPG, but not for the other substances measured. Subjects who had recovered from the amnesic symptoms of Korsakoff's psychosis had increased concentrations of AVP and MHPG, but not of SS or the other monoamine metabolites.