Acid monoamine metabolites in the CSF of healthy controls punctured without preceding strict bedrest: a retrospective study.

Data were obtained from 46 healthy volunteers, 16 males and 30 females, lumbar punctured at the L4-5 level without strict bedrest prior to puncture. 18 ml of CSF was collected at the puncture, which was performed with a 0.9 mm diameter needle. Contradictory to previous reports, body height did not influence CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) or homovanillic acid (HVA). Age influenced HVA (but not 5-HIAA) in a curvilinear manner in male volunteers and the HVA/5-HIAA ratio in females. In contrast to previously reported correlations between 5-HIAA and HVA, a weak correlation was found, but only in females. In males, body weight related to 5-HIAA and atmospheric pressure to HVA, both in a positive direction. Our findings are largely contradictory to previous reports, a fact that might, hypothetically, be due to the absence of strict bedrest before puncture. The use of a comparatively wide needle (0.9 mm in diameter) and the amount of 18 ml CSF drawn might, taken together, make at least some contribution to an explanation.