Studies on Sialic Acid (Neuraminic Acid) in Cerebrospinal Fluid

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Abstract
We determined the protein-bound sialic acid and the total protein contents in human cerebrospinal fluid in various mental disorders. The results are summarized as follows: (1) In the control group, the sialic acid content averaged 0.218 [plus or minus]0.048 mg% and the ratio of sialic acid (mg%) against total protein (%o) was 109 to 100. (2) In the schizophrenic subjects, the sialic acid content averaged 0.267 [plus or minus] 0.081 mg%, which had a significant difference at 2% level from that in the control group. The ratio of sialic acid against total protein was 92.1 to 100. (3) In depression, the sialic acid content averaged 0.278 [plus or minus] 0.067 mg%, which had a significant difference at 10 per cent level of significance. The ratio of sialic acid against total protein was 74.5 to 100. In mania, the ratio was much less (49.6 to 100), it is suggested that there is a tendency to an increase of sialic acid and also a respectable unbalance in the mechanism of production of sialic acid and protein in the cerebrospinal fluid. (4) In chronic alcoholism, the sialic acid content averaged 0.321 [plus or minus]0.043 mg%, which had a significant difference with a high reliability. The ratio of sialic acid against total protein was 107 to 100, which was the same as that in the control group. (5) In the other brain organic diseases, the sialic acid concentration was found heightened.

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