Cerebrospinal fluid variables among alcoholics lack seasonal variation

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Abstract
Seasonal influences on indices of serotonergic function, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the serotonin metabolite 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA), have been reported in psychiatric patients and healthy volunteers. We examined seasonal differences in CSF concentrations of 5‐HIAA among 135 alcoholics admitted to a research ward who had a lumbar puncture. No significant seasonal differences were found for either CSF concentrations of 5‐HIAA or CSF concentrations of other monoamine metabolites or peptides. The possible explanations for these negative findings are discussed.