Excitatory amino acids and monoaminergic neurotransmitters in cerebrospinal fluid of acute ischemic stroke patients.
OBJECTIVE
Improved insight in the role of neurotransmitters in acute cerebral ischemic injury may be fundamental for the successful development of novel therapeutic approaches. We investigated excitatory amino acids and monoaminergic neurotransmitters in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of acute ischemic stroke patients and their relation to stroke characteristics.


METHODS
CSF concentrations of glutamate, aspartate, glutamine, glycine, proline, taurine, norepinephrine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, homovanillic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid were assessed in 89 stroke patients at admission (median 6.3h after stroke onset) and in 31 controls. We evaluated the relation between CSF concentrations and (a) stroke severity (NIHSS score at admission, lesion volume), (b) stroke evolution in the subacute phase, (c) long-term stroke outcome, (d) lesion location, and (e) stroke etiology.


RESULTS
Neurotransmitter systems display relevant interrelations, however, no significant associations between neurotransmitter concentrations in CSF and stroke characteristics were found, with the exception of higher 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in CSF of patients with progressing stroke and poor long-term outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
The study results question the added value of neurotransmitter assessment in CSF for research on ischemic cerebral injury.
Brouns
Raf
R
Department of Neurology and Memory Clinic, ZNA Middelheim Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium.
Van Hemelrijck
An
A
Drinkenburg
Wilhelmus H
WH
Van Dam
Debby
D
De Surgeloose
Didier
D
De Deyn
Peter P
PP
D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015306:Biogenic Monoamines / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D001923:Brain Chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D018846:Excitatory Amino Acids / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013129:Spinal Puncture; D020521:Stroke / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013995:Time
D015306:Biogenic Monoamines; D015415:Biomarkers; D018846:Excitatory Amino Acids; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents