Neurotransmitters

Test Alias / Common Abbreviations

 

CSF Neurotransmitters, monoamine metabolites, 5MTHF, pterins

 

Department

 

Biochemistry (referred to external laboratory):

Neurometabolic Unit, (Box 105) 6th Floor, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG




Pre-analytical information  

 

Add-on requests: N/A

 

Minimum Retest Interval: N/A

 

 

Sample  Collection instructions:

 

Prior arrangement with Duty Biochemist essential. 


CSF samples must be frozen on dry ice at the patient's bedside in specialist polypropylene tubes. These can be collected from your local Biochemistry Laboratory along with a specific request form that MUST be completed and returned with the samples.

Please contact the Duty Biochemist at least 3 days prior to planned CSF samples collection (lumbar puncture). Samples cannot be collected outside normal working hours.

 

 

Sample Transport & Stability Information:

 

Samples should be immediately hand delivered to the laboratory on dry ice after collection to ensure sample integrity is maintained.  

For generic information on test requesting, sample labelling and packaging, and sample transport – see the frequently asked questions here.

 

Sample Type, Container & Volume

Adult sample type:

Specific polypropylene tubes supplied by referral laboratory.

Paediatric sample type: 
Specific polypropylene tubes supplied by referral laboratory.

 

Turnaround Time

Based on receipt at testing site.
Within 8 weeks

 

 

 

 

 

Please access the referral laboratory website/laboratory handbook for information on reference ranges. Where required, reference ranges and/or interpretative comments provided by the external referral laboratory may be added to reports alongside results.

Results outside the reference range do not necessarily indicate disease. Similarly, results within the reference range do not preclude abnormality. Please contact the Duty Biochemist for discussion of individual patient results.

Diagnosis of primary neurotransmitter disorders.

For tests performed at an external referral laboratory, consider contacting the performing laboratory directly for specialist advice on the interpretation of results.

For more details, see: UCLH Neurometabolic Unit | Specialist testing for rare neurological disorders

For more information, please see the following: UCLH Neurometabolic Unit | Specialist testing for rare neurological disorders

Reviewed / Updated On: 02/12/2025