Cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of neurotensin and corticotropin-releasing factor in pediatric patients.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of neurotensin (NT) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRF)-like immunoreactive materials (LIM) were measured in 22 infants and children 6 days to 15 years of age. For both neuropeptides there was a marked age-related exponential decline in CSF concentrations. The most prominent decrease in CSF neuropeptide concentrations was seen during the first 24 months of postnatal life. From 1 year and on there was no or only minimal age-associated alteration in CSF neuropeptide concentrations. In this group of children (1-15 years) mean CSF concentrations of NT-LIM and CRF-LIM were 36.8 +/- 4.32 and 65.9 +/- 4.63 pg/ml, respectively. As CSF neuropeptide concentrations are apparently independent of circulating serum concentrations, they may reflect functional activity of neuropeptide-containing neurons and therefore may be of value in the assessment of the role of peptides in the human central nervous system function and behavior.
Hedner
J
J
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg.
Hedner
T
T
Lundell
K H
KH
Bissette
G
G
O'Connor
L
L
Nemeroff
C B
CB
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009496:Neurotensin / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D009496:Neurotensin; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone