CSF cyclic AMP and CSF adenylate kinase in cerebral ischaemic infarction.

The severity of neurological deficits, size of hypodense zone on CT, concentration of cAMP and activity of adenylate kinase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were evaluated at predefined intervals in the acute stage of supratentorial cerebral ischaemic infarction in 52 patients. Patients with cerebral infarction had raised activities of adenylate kinase CSF as compared with normal persons. Patients with marked neurological deficits, only slight improvement of neurological signs and large infarction zones on CT had higher average activities of adenylate kinase and lower concentration of cAMP in CSF. Alterations of CSF adenylate kinase and CSF cAMP values were most distinct on the 3rd day after the stroke. Reasons for the changes may be metabolic disorders following brain ischaemia.