[Cerebrospinal HVA and 5-HIAA in patients with endogenous depression in the course of treatment].

HVA and 5-HIAA levels were determined in the lumbar CSF of 17 patients affected by endogenous depression. The modification of the amine metabolites after treatment (tryciclics, bromocriptine, trazodone, ECT) were not related to the specific therapy nor to the clinical improvement. In 11 patients, HVA and 5-HIAA showed opposite modificatons. The possible role of interactions between dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems in the pathogenesis of endogenous depression is discussed.