Amine metabolites in human cerebrospinal fluid: effects of cord transection and spinal fluid block.

Patients with spinal cord transection had normal concentrations of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and low concentrations of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid. The presence or absence of spinal fluid block in these patients did not affect concentrations of either amine metabolite. However, the concentration of homovanillic acid was lower in patients with spinal fluid block than in those without block. The results suggest that the spinal cord contributes to concentrations of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol and possibly 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, but contributes little to that of homovanillic acid in the lumbar spinal fluid of man.