Kynurenic acid is decreased in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with infantile spasms.

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 8 patients with symptomatic infantile spasms was collected before specific treatment for infantile spasms. The concentration of CSF kynurenic acid (KYA) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-OHKY) in infantile spasms was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and compared with CSF KYA from 10 age-matched controls. The levels of CSF KYA were significantly lower in infantile spasm patients compared to controls (P < .05). In contrast, the levels of CSF 3-OHKY were significantly higher in infantile spasm patients than in controls (P < .05). These findings suggest that the presence of seizures in infantile spasms is associated with altered metabolism of 3-OHKY. The possibility that seizures may be related to increased or decreased production of certain kynurenine metabolites is discussed.

• Authors: H Yamamoto, I Shindo, B Egawa, K Horiguchi
• Journal: Pediatric neurology (Pediatr Neurol) Vol. 10 Issue 1 Pg. 9-12 (Feb 1994) ISSN: 0887-8994 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8198681 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• 3-hydroxykynurenine
• Kynurenine
• Kynurenic Acid

Topics

• Asphyxia Neonatorum (cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis)
• Brain (physiopathology)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Electroencephalography
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Kynurenic Acid (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Kynurenine (analogs & derivatives, cerebrospinal fluid)
• Male
• Spasms, Infantile (cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis)
• Synaptic Transmission (physiology)
• Tuberous Sclerosis (cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis)