Hydrocephalus: 5-HIAA and HVA in the Cerebrospinal Fluid

The choroid plexus form cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within four ventricles the brain. The composition of CSF is very similar to the of the brain’s extracellular, and its composition depends on filtration and diffusion from the blood. Few conditions cause CSF volume and pressure to fall below normal (dehydration may be one), but many conditions can cause it to increase, sometimes under pressure. This may lead to blocked flow CSF from one or more ventricles, which causes an increase in intracranial pressure, and CSF buildup i.e. to hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus results from one of three possible causes: over secretion of CSF, impaired absorption of CSF or obstruction of CSF pathways. The concentration of metabolites of the monoamines homovanillic acid (HVA) and 5-hydrocephalus acetic acid (5-HIAA) were determined with HPLC-ED in the CSF of 17 patients (children of 1 age) with hydrocephalus. Determined 5-HIAA concentrations are in the range of 0,99–113,89 ng/mL and HVA 0,98–165,92 ng/mL in CSF due to pressure changes occurring in hydrocephalus is increasing the turnover of serotonin and dopamine to its metabolites. The correlation no could be established between the levels of 5-HIAA and HVA and type of hydrocephalus, and the duration of disease.