Concentration of Serotonin Metabolites in the Cerebrospinal Fluid from Alcoholics before and during Disulfiram Therapy

Abstract

The levels of 5‐hydroxytryptophol and 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid before and after one week of disulfiram treatment (400 mg/day) from ten male hospitalized alcoholic patients. The disulfiram treatment induced elevated (P<0.001) levels of 5‐hydroxytryptophol. The levels were higher than in a control group, both before (P <0.01) and after (P< 0.001) the treatment. No effects on the levels of 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid were noted. The results indicate an altered serotonin metabolism in alcoholics, which is further potentiated by disulfiram treatment.