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Biochemical investigations into the alcoholic delirium: Alterations of biogenic amines

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Summary

In eight male patients with alcoholic delirium concentrations of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) and homovannilic acid (HVA) in CSF, activity of dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH), and urinary excretion of noradrenaline (NA), adrenaline (A), and dopamine (DA) were measured during the delirium and a drug-free control period.

MHPG concentration in CSF, excretion of NA and A as well as activity of serum DBH were significantly elevated during the delirium phase as compared to the control period. Urinary DA excretion and HVA in CSF did not show any constant changes. There was a positive correlation (r=0.64) between DBH activity and the intensity of the delirium (as measured on the delirium rating scale).

It is hypothesized that there is a relationship between alcoholic delirium and increased central noradrenergic activity.

Zusammenfassung

Bei 8 männlichen Patienten mit einem Alkoholdelir wurde während des Delirs und einer medikationsfreien Kontrollperiode die Konzentration von 3-Methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) und Homovanillinsäure (HVA) im Liquor cerebrospinalis, die Aktivität der Dopamin-β-hydroxylase (DBH) im Serum sowie die Höhe der Noradrenalin(NA)-, Adrenalin(A)- und Dopamin(DA)-Ausscheidung gemessen.

Während des Delirs waren die MHPG-Konzentrationen im Liquor, die NA- und A-Ausscheidung im Urin und die DBH-Aktivität im Serum signifikant höher als während der Kontrollperiode. Die DA-Ausscheidung sowie die Konzentration von HVA im Liquor zeigten keine konstanten Veränderungen. Zwischen der Höhe der DBH-Aktivität und der Intensität des Delirs (gemessen auf einer Delir-Einschätzungsskala) bestand eine positive Korrelation (r=0.64).

Es wird die Hypothese vertreten, daß zwischen der Symptomatik des Delirium tremens und zentraler noradrenerger Erregung kausale Beziehung besteht.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychiatrische Klinik der Universität München, Nußbaumstr. 7, D-8000, München 2, Federal Republic of Germany

    D. Athen, H. Beckmann, M. Ackenheil & M. Markianos

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  1. D. Athen
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  2. H. Beckmann
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  3. M. Ackenheil
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  4. M. Markianos
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Athen, D., Beckmann, H., Ackenheil, M. et al. Biochemical investigations into the alcoholic delirium: Alterations of biogenic amines. Arch. Psychiat. Nervenkr. 224, 129–140 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346481

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00346481

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