A significant reduction of putative transmitter amino acids in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Parkinson's disease and spinocerebellar degeneration.

Abstract

We evaluated the concentrations of the putative transmitter amino acids in the cerebrospinal fluid, and found a significant reduction of glutamate, aspartate, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and glycine concentrations in parkinsonian patients. There was no difference in amino acid concentrations between parkinsonian patients receiving L-DOPA and those not receiving L-DOPA. A similar decrease of glutamate and aspartate concentrations was found in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration. Concentrations of asparagine, glycine and taurine were also significantly decreased in patients with late cortical cerebellar atrophy.

• Authors: H Tohgi, T Abe, K Hashiguchi, S Takahashi, Y Nozaki, T Kikuchi
• Journal: Neuroscience letters (Neurosci Lett) Vol. 126 Issue 2 Pg. 155-8 (May 27 1991) ISSN: 0304-3940 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 1681472 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Amino Acids
• Neurotransmitter Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Amino Acids (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Atrophy
• Cerebellar Cortex (pathology)
• Cerebellar Diseases (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Neurotransmitter Agents (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Olivopontocerebellar Atrophies (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Parkinson Disease (cerebrospinal fluid)
• Spinocerebellar Degenerations (cerebrospinal fluid)