Elevated homovanillic acid in cerebrospinal fluid of children with infantile spasms.

To determine the role of noradrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain of patients with infantile spasms, levels of respective major metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid were examined. Homovanillic acid levels were significantly increased in these patients, while 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were not significantly altered, as compared with controls. In patients with febrile convulsion and status epilepticus who were examined during or within a few hours after convulsions the same phenomenon was evident. The increased level of dopamine metabolite was closely related to the occurrrence of convulsions and is considered to be a secondary phenomenon.