Hemiballismus: changes in cerebrospinal fluid

Abstract

ABSTRACT‐ Concentrations of serotonine metabilite, 5–hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5–HIAA), and dopamine metabolites, homovanillic acid (HVA) and 3,4‐dihydroxy‐phenylacetic acid (DOPAC), were measured in the samples of cerebrospinal fluid of 5 patients with acute hemiballismus. The only significant change was the increased content of HVA compared to controls. This finding support the hypothesis on the increased dopamine turnover in hemiballismus and provide a rational basis for the present treatment with antidopaminergic agents. Copyright © 1988, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved