title: Assessment of reliability and biological significance of glutamate levels in cerebrospinal fluid.
abstract: The published information on glutamate levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and modifications in neurological disorders is controversial. In the present study, we demonstrated a metabolic instability of glutamate in untreated CSF and a spurious elevation of its levels by the current methods of CSF acidification. These findings may explain the discrepancies observed with different methods of CSF processing and analysis. We suggest a method of inactivating CSF enzymes that yields stable glutamate levels under different storage conditions. Use of such a method may be necessary for clinical studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Milan, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferrarese
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pecora
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frigo
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Appollonio
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Frattola
mesh_terms: D000143:Acids / Q000494:pharmacology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000187:drug effects; D005971:Glutamates / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*
chemical_list: D000143:Acids; D005971:Glutamates; D018698:Glutamic Acid