RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Decreased 6‐hydroxymelatonin excretion in Korsakoff's psychosis
JF Neurology
JO Neurology
FD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
SP 966
OP 966
DO 10.1212/WNL.34.7.966
VO 34
IS 7
A1 Martin, Peter R.
A1 Higa, Sadayoshi
A1 Burns, R. Stanley
A1 Tamarkin, Lawrence
A1 Ebert, Michael H.
A1 Markey, Sanford P.
YR 1984
UL http://n.neurology.org/content/34/7/966.abstract
AB Mean (± SEM) urinary excretion rate of the major melatonin metabolite 6-hydroxymelatonin (μg/day) was lower in 7 (2.8 + 1.0) of 8 men with Korsakoffs psychosis (KP) than in 15 healthy men (11.4 ± 1.4). Treatment with the α2-noradrenergic agonist clonidine decreased daily 6-hydroxymelatonin excretion (p < 0.02). Reduced daily excretion of 6-hydroxymelatonin in KP reflects decreased melatonin synthesis in the pineal gland, perhaps as a residual effect of lesions due to past thiamine deficiency (Wernicke's encephalopathy).