The authors investigated the cerebral metabolism of tryptophan in patients suffering from malignant pain by means of CSF dosage of tryptophan (Trp), 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA).

The level of 5-HIAA in patients with pain was 66.48 +/- 13.67 ng/ml, while in those without pain was 25.05 +/- 13.25 ng/ml; the difference was statistically significant, p = 0.001. Leggi tutto...