NOREPINEPHRINE METABOLITE IN CSF CORRELATES WITH ETHANOL-CONSUMPTION AND HEREDITY IN HUMANS

Previous studies showed that in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) the concentr ation of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (MHPG), the main metabolite of norepinephrine (NE), was positively correlated with blood ethanol c oncentrations in both healthy volunteers and in alcoholics. In this pr eliminary study we have extended those results by correlating MHPG con centrations in CSF with reported ethanol consumption and other indices of alcohol problems before and after consumption of 60-120 g of ethan ol. MHPG in CSF correlates negatively with reported ethanol consumptio n, presence of first-degree relatives with alcohol problems, and prese nce of memory lapses, and correlates positively with age and the amoun t of ethanol consumed in the experiment. These results suggest that MH PG may indicate not only a high alcohol consumption but also a familia l or genetic predisposition for alcoholism.