Decreased 6‐hydroxymelatonin excretion in Korsakoff's psychosis

1 July 1984

journal article
Published by Wolters Kluwer Health in Neurology

Vol. 34 (7) , 966
https://doi.org/10.1212/wnl.34.7.966

Abstract

Mean (± SEM) urinary excretion rate of the major melatonin metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin (μg/day) was lower in 7 (2.8 + 1.0) of 8 men with Korsakoffs psychosis (KP) than in 15 healthy men (11.4 ± 1.4). Treatment with the α₂-noradrenergic agonist clonidine decreased daily 6-hydroxymelatonin excretion (p < 0.02). Reduced daily excretion of 6-hydroxymelatonin in KP reflects decreased melatonin synthesis in the pineal gland, perhaps as a residual effect of lesions due to past thiamine deficiency (Wernicke's encephalopathy).

Keywords

KORSAKOFFS
HYDROXYMELATONIN EXCRETION
KORSAKOFF'S PSYCHOSIS
TREATMENT
GLAND
ENCEPHALOPATHY
METABOLITE
CLONIDINE

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