CSF 5-HIAA as a predictor of treatment response in trichotillomania.

Abstract

Trichotillomania is characterized by chronic hair-pulling resulting in noticeable hair loss. In a preliminary study, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measures in 8 medication-free, female, trichotillomania patients were compared to those of matched, normal controls. There was no difference between patients and controls in measures of CSF cortisol, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG). CSF measures did not correlate with measures of trichotillomania symptomatology. However, degree of response to treatment with serotonin re-uptake inhibitors significantly correlated with baseline CSF 5-HIAA. This suggests that central serotonin turnover is specifically relevant to treatment response to serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in trichotillomania.

• Authors: P T Ninan, B O Rothbaum, M Stipetic, R J Lewine, S C Risch
• Journal: Psychopharmacology bulletin (Psychopharmacol Bull) Vol. 28 Issue 4 Pg. 451-5 ( 1992) ISSN: 0048-5764 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1284254 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Female
• Humans
• Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Middle Aged
• Prognosis
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Trichotillomania (cerebrospinal fluid, psychology, therapy)