Cerebrospinal fluid biogenic amine metabolites in fibromyalgia/fibrositis syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis

Objective. To compare the levels of biogenic amines in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of primary fibromyalgia syndrome (PFS) patients with those in the CSF of controls. Methods. Metabolites of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine were identified in CSF, using high performance liquid chromatography with coulometric detection. Results. CSF levels of metabolites from all 3 neurotransmitters were lower in PFS patients than in controls. Conclusion. A low rate of turnover of several neurotransmitters supports the proposed hypothesis of a metabolic defect in PFS and suggests that the defect occurs at a neuroregulatory level.