Correlation of anxiety and related symptoms with cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid in depressed women.

Cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels were determined in 31 women with unipolar involutional depression using the probenecid technique. Values were found to be lower in depression as compared to controls, but they did not correlate with the severity of the clinical picture. Anxiety, insomnia and drug response however showed significant correlation with pretreatment 5-HIAA level. Some possible interpretations are discussed.