Cerebrospinal Fluid and Serum Cation Levels

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Abstract
Studies on electrolyte levels in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have often raised the question as to the influence exerted by plasma electrolytes on corresponding levels found in CSF. It has been concluded that CSF potassium levels are independent of plasma potassium while CSF sodium tends to be correlated with plasma levels.1-3 CSF calcium4,5 and magnesium3,5 levels are independent of plasma levels although a recent study on a group of retarded children has reported a positive correlation between CSF and plasma calcium.3 Conclusions arrived at from clinical data are generally dependent on statistical correlations between plasma and CSF electrolyte levels. Studies involving direct alteration of plasma electrolyte levels in experimental animals have provided some data in accord with these clinical findings.1,6-9 However, many of these studies report only single determinations of elevated plasma and associated CSF levels, or involve other complicating factors. This paper describes experiments