Changes in Free Amino Acids of Cerebrospinal Fluid and Plasma in Various Neurological Diseases

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Abstract
By liquid chromatography free amino acids in CSF (161 subjects) and in plasma (138 subjects) in various neurological diseases and in controls was investigated. A general increase in CSF amino acids was found in Group C (samples exhibiting both pleocytosis and increasing CSF protein concentration) and in spinal canal block and neuro-Behcet''s syndrome. Also, some abnormalities were detected in these groups with regard to changes in CSF cells, protein or Ig[immunoglobulin]G%. In the case of Guillain-Barre syndrome an increase in CSF alanine, glycine, methionine, arginine and the branched-chain group was noted. In multiple sclerosis an increase was evident in CSF alanine, in plasma alanine and arginine, and in the plasma: CSF ratio of tyrosine. In patients of motor neuron diseases (MND) CSF glutamic acid, alanine, histidine and arginine all indicated an increase, along with the plasma: CSF ratio of tyrosine. In Group C and in neuro-Behcet''s syndrome glycine, methionine and lysine were lowered in the plasma: CSF ratio. Also, the ratio of valine in the former and histidine in the latter indicated a decrease. These results may reflect either biochemical abnormalities of plasma and/or the CNS, or changes in the transport systems of the blood-brain barrier.