CSF collection time at lumbar puncture is influenced by plasma cholesteroland triglycerides

It is a fairly well-known fact that the CSF collection time (tapping time) at lumbar puncture may influence CSF levels of monoamine compounds (e,g. th e serotonin metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, 5-HIAA) and some neurope ptides, Since serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides and low CSF lev els of 5-HIAA have been linked to violent behaviour and impulsivity, we inv estigated retrospectively whether serum cholesterol and triglycerides affec t CSF collection time. The series consists of 14 healthy males lumbar punct ured at the L4-5 level. We found that both serum cholesterol and serum trig lycerides influenced the CSF collection time for 12 mi of CSF (R = 0.77; p = 0,0067), There was no correlation between cholesterol in serum and CSF, n or between cholesterol in the CSF and collection time. However, we accident ally found a correlation between cholesterol in the CSF and age. The propos ed hypothesis tries to explain why cholesterol- and triglyceride-rich lipop rotein particles modify the CSF collection time and influence endothelial f unction with a subsequent effect on CSF production and/or intraspinal press ure. Thus, it may be of interest to pay attention to serum cholesterol and triglycerides, their effect on CSF collection time and, in the next step, t heir putative impact on levels of various compounds in the CSF. Copyright ( C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.