CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID HOMOVANILLIC-ACID IN MALE ALCOHOLICS - EFFECTS OF DISULFIRAM

Abstract

The possibility that some of disulfiram''s effects are related to alterations in biogenic amine metabolism led to the study of CSF amine metabolites in a group of human alcoholics. Disulfiram treatment was associated with significant reduction in homovanillic acid, the major metabolite of dopamine, while no change was noted in 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, the major metabolite of serotonin. Prior to disulfiram, patients with withdrawal symptoms had significantly lower homovanillic acid than those without such symptoms.