Blood and urinary biogenic amine levels in tuberculous meningitis

Abstract

The circulating levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline and serotonin were found to be significantly enhanced in patients of tuberculous meningitis. However, the urinary vanilmandelic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels were not significantly altered in this condition. The elevated levels of biogenic amine in tuberculous meningitis could be attributed to the stress induced by disease itself. Repeated determination of these biogenic amines may also help in assessing the course and prognosis of this disease.