Summary
Depression is frequently encountered in Parkinson's disease and was seen to occur in 14 of 26 patients studied. The levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), the main metabolite of serotonin (5-HT), in CSF samples of the patients were significantly lower than in those of controls. However, within the group of patients the levels of 5-HIAA in CSF samples were significantly lower in the depressive subgroup compared with the non-depressive patients. Moreover, no correlation was recorded between motor disability and depression. The results indicate that disturbed 5-HT metabolism may possibly play a role in Parkinson's disease as a predisposing factor in the development of depression.
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Kostić, V.S., Djuričić, B.M., Čovičković-Šternić, N. et al. Depression and parkinson's disease: possible role of serotonergic mechanisms. J Neurol 234, 94–96 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314109
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00314109