Abstract
Determination of monoamine metabolites was accomplished in the spinal fluid of 22 psychotic children and in 22 sex- and almost-age-matched “normal” controls. Also, specimens from groups of mentally retarded children and children with progressive encephalopathy or meningitis were used for comparison. The psychotic children showed raised levels of homovanillic acid. Thirteen children diagnosed as autistic by Rutter's criteria showed isolated increase of this metabolite. In the group of 9 children with other psychoses, both the level of homovanillic acid and that of 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid was raised. The comparison with the group of “simply” mentally retarded children and results within the psychotic group revealed that the increased concentration of monoamines was not attributable to mental retardation per se.
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This work was generously financially supported by the Rädda Barnens Riksförbund (the Swedish Save the Children Federation). Special thanks are due to the participating children, and to Helen Schaumann, who accompanied children during the lumbar puncture.
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Gillberg, C., Svennerholm, L. & Hamilton-Hellberg, C. Childhood psychosis and monoamine metabolites in spinal fluid. J Autism Dev Disord 13, 383–396 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531587
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01531587