CSF MONOAMINE METABOLITES IN RELATION TO THE DIAGNOSTIC INTERVIEW FORBORDERLINE PATIENTS (DIB)

The cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of the monoamine metabolites 5- hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), homovanillic acid (HVA), 3-methoxy- 4-hydroxyphenylglycol, and their ratios were studied in relation to th e Diagnostic Interview for Borderline patients (DIB) evaluated retrosp ectively from hospital records for a sample of 202 patients participat ing in psychobiological programs on mood disorders. No correlations wi th the total DIB score were significant. Patients with borderline pers onality disorder (BPD) defined by a total DIB score of at least 7 or 6 , respectively, did not differ significantly from non-BPD regarding th e metabolites. However, for section II (impulse action pattern) of the DIB, those with an intermediate value of the section score had signif icantly higher levels of 5-HIAA and HVA, suggesting that such higher t han normal concentrations may be protective against impulsive or suici dal behavior generated by an underlying psychiatric morbidity due to o ther risk factors.