Correlation between serotonergic measures in cerebrospinal fluid and blood of subhuman primate.

The relationship between the concentration of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), its precursor; tryptophan (Trp) and the main metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood of monkey have been studied. 5-HT, Trp and 5-HIAA underwent circadian changes in both CSF and blood. Significant correlations were found between 5-HT, 5-HIAA and Trp in CSF and blood. The significance of these findings and their relationship to the use of peripheral serotonergic system as a functional model of the central nervous system are discussed.