EFFECT OF SPINAL FLUID FROM PATIENTS WITH MYASTHENIA GRAVIS ON THE SYNTHESIS OF ACETYLCHOLINE IN VITRO.

Human spinal fluid is a more favorable medium to further the synthesis of acetylcholine in vitro, using enzyme obtained from frog brain, than is serum. Also, since less acetylcholine was synthesized in the presence of spinal fluid from patients with myasthenia gravis than spinal fluid of control subjects, it is probable that at least some of the factors responsible for the decrease and increase of the synthesis of acetylcholine pass into the spinal fluid.