Excitatory and inhibitory amino acid levels in the cerebrospinal fluids of children with neurological disorders.

Measurement of amino acid levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with various neurological disorders was performed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Glutamate increased in patients with bacterial meningitis, aseptic meningitis and encephalitis. Aspartate increased in bacterial meningitis and seizure disorders. Glycine increased in both bacterial and aseptic meningitis. Taurine increased in bacterial meningitis and encephalitis. GABA, the main inhibitory amino acid, increased in encephalitis. Excitatory and inhibitory amino acids are richly distributed in brain tissue and are related to neuron activity. Changes in amino acid levels in the CSF may reflect the pathologic state and severity of brain insults, and may be useful in monitoring disease processes. Further study is necessary to determine whether CSF aminos acid levels have a role in practical clinical application.