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Publication AbstractsCerebrospinal Fluid Levels of Monoamine Compounds and Cholecystokinin Peptides After Exposure to Standardized Barometric PressureThomas Eklundh, M.D., Tove Gunnarsson, M.D., Hans Örnhagen, M.D., Ph.D., and Conny Nordin, M.D., Ph.D.Aviat Space Environ Med 2000; 71:1131-6 AbstractBackground: Connections between mood changes and weather have been described throughout the ages, and in more recent years, there have been reports on a relationship between atmospheric pressure and neurotransmitter levels in cerebrospinal fluid. Methods: To further investigate this issue under strictly standardized conditions, we have lumbar-punctured 8 healthy males under low (963 hPa) and high (1064 hPa) barometric pressure, using a pressure chamber. Results: Under high pressure, the tyrosine concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were lower, while the cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK-4) levels were higher. No differences between low and high pressure were found for tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), dopamine (DA), and sulphated cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8S). The serum level of CCK-8S was higher under high pressure. On comparing concentration ratios between the second and the first CSF fraction, we found significantly increased ratios for homovanillic acid (HVA) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol (HMPG), but a decreased ratio for tyrosine under high pressure. The difference in the concentration ratios of HVA between low and high pressure correlated negatively with age. Intraspinal pressure correlated negatively with tapping time at low pressure. Conclusion: Our results are in line with the hypothesis that atmospheric pressure influences CSF levels of monoamine compounds and cholecystokinin peptides.Keywords: lumbar puncture, CSF, barometric pressure, monoamine precursors, monoamine transmitters, monoamine metabolites, cholecys-tokinin. Information on subscribing, and on obtaining copies of an article or of an entire issue. Table of Contents for Volume 71, Number 11 of the ASME journal.
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