Property of cerebrospinal fluid associated with disturbed metabolism of central nervous system.

Cerebrospinal fluid was assayed for the capacity to contract smooth muscle and for the capacity to develop such activity when incubated with globulin. Activity was observed in fluid collected from patients with inflammatory or degenerative disease of the central nervous system, sustained intracranial vasodilatation, sustained noxious stimulation, or chronic schizophrenia. Control specimens lacked measurable activity.