Cerebrospinal fluid GABA levels in children with infantile spasms.

The mean CSF GABA level in 22 children with infantile spasms was significantly lower than in 35 controls. There was no significant difference between the CSF GABA levels in untreated children and those treated with anticonvulsants, or between uncontrolled and temporarily controlled patients. After treatment with ACTH, CSF GABA levels were lower than before treatment, and seizures disappeared. Brain GABAergic neuronal function may be disturbed in children with infantile spasms, but the decreased CSF GABA level does not directly correlate with the seizures of infantile spasms.