Reduction of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma serotonin in patients with post-stroke depression: a preliminary report

Gao Heng-qiang, Zhu Hai-yan, Zhang Yan-qiang, Lexin Wang

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Abstract

Objective: To investigate the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of serotonin in patients with post-stroke depression (PSD).Methods: Serotonin was measured in 30 PSD patients and 30 controls on day 15 and day 30 following stroke.Result: There was a good correlation between the plasma and the CSF serotonin concentrations in both PSD (r=0.641, P=0.001) and control patients (0.852, P=0.001) 30 days following the stroke. The average plasma and CSF serotonin concentrations in the PSD patients were lower than in the control group on day 15 (CSF: 0.24±0.27 vs 0.82±0.48 µmol/L, P<0.01; plasma, 0.32±0.25 vs 0.83±0.45µmol/L, P<0.01) and day 30 (CSF: 0.29±0.23 vs 0.78±0.47 µmol/L, P<0.01; plasma, 0.31±0.33 vs 0.89±0.67 µmol/L, P<0.01). Reduction of plasma serotonin was found in 90.0% of the PSD group and 13.3% of the control group patients (P<0.01). Reduction in CSF serotonin in the PSD and control group was 80.0% and 6.7% respectively (P<0.01%).Conclusion: Plasma serotonin levels may be used to represent the CSF serotonin levels in depressed and non-depressed patients following stroke. There is a significant reduction in the plasma or CSF serotonin concentrations in patients with PSD. Serotonin deficiency may be one of the factors leading to depression following stroke.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)E351-E356
JournalClinical and Investigative Medicine
Volume31
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2008

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