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

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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.