LOWER CSF TAURINE LEVELS IN MALE PATHOLOGICAL GAMBLERS THAN IN HEALTHY CONTROLS

Amino acids were determined in CSF obtained from 10 males fulfilling t he DSM-III-R criteria for pathological gambling. On comparing with sev en healthy male controls, the mean CSF level of the inhibitory amino a cid taurine in the third (13-18 ml) CSF fraction, was significantly lo wer in gamblers (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the CSF taurine concentration was significantly influenced by height, but differently in gamblers a nd controls. There were no differences between gamblers and controls r egarding other amino acids. The results might indicate that pathologic al gamblers have a functional disturbance of the disposition of taurin e in the CSF. Whether this is due to a reduced entry of taurine across the blood-brain barrier, increased elimination from the CSF, a distur bed CSF circulation or a combination thereof, needs to be clarified.