Does dantrolene influence central dopamine and serotonin metabolism in the neuroleptic malignant syndrome? A retrospective study.

Homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were determined twice in nine cases of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) during the active phase. During the test period, three cases received no dantrolene and six cases received dantrolene prior to the second CSF examination. In the group not administered dantrolene, the levels of HVA and 5-HIAA were lower on the second examination compared to the first, suggesting that the levels of these substances decreased during the course of NMS. In the group receiving dantrolene, the levels of HVA and 5-HIAA increased after administration compared with the preadministration levels. In particular, a significant difference in the changes in HVA was demonstrated between the two groups. This suggests that dantrolene influences central dopaminergic metabolism in the active phase of NMS.