Monoamine metabolites were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of
depressed and nondepressed patients with acute stroke lesions and in
nondepressed patients without stroke lesions. Depressed stroke patients had
a significantly lower concentration of CSF 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid
(5-HIAA; a serotonin metabolite) than the other two groups. These findings
suggest that poststroke depression may be mediated by serotonergic
mechanisms.Abstract Teaser