title: Cerebrospinal fluid as a reflector of central cholinergic and amino acid neurotransmitter activity in cerebellar ataxia.
abstract: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amino acid neurotransmitters, related compounds, and their precursors, choline levels, and acetylcholinesterase activity were measured in the CSF of patients with cerebellar ataxia during a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled clinical trial of physostigmine salicylate. The CSF gamma-aminobutyric acid, methionine, and choline levels, adjusted for age, were significantly lower in patients with cerebellar ataxia compared with controls. Physostigmine selectively reduced the level of CSF isoleucine and elevated the levels of phosphoethanolamine. No change occurred in CSF acetylcholinesterase activity and in the levels of plasma amino compounds in patients with cerebellar ataxia when compared with controls. Median ataxia scores did not statistically differ between placebo and physostigmine nor did functional improvement occur in any of the patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield 62794-9230.
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Manyam
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giacobini
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Ferraro
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hare
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D000328:Adult; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D002524:Cerebellar Ataxia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D002794:Choline / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid; D010830:Physostigmine; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002794:Choline; D000109:Acetylcholine