Observations on the Cyclic Nucleotide Concentrations in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid

Abstract

Previous studies have shown that the concentrations of 3', 5' cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 3', 5' cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), brain, or both, are increased by melanotropic peptides and catechol amines, and by cholinergic agents. The present study measured the concentrations of cAMP, cGMP, and melanotropic activity in the CSF of normal patients and in 136 subjects with various neurologic diseases. In normal lumbar CSF, concentrations (ave +/- SD) were: cAMP, 21 +/- 8 mM; cGMP, 2.4 +/- 0.5 mM; melanotropic activity, 17 +/- 6 units/100 ml. Concentrations of cAMP, cGMP, and melanotropic activity did not differ significantly (P is less than .05) from normal in the following categories of adult and pediatric patients: back pain due to vertigo of unknown cause; cerebral atrophy; cerebral vascular disease; and brain tumor subdural hematoma not causing increased ventricular pressure. Nine children with retarded psychomotor development caused by diffuse brain disease (infection, trauma, hemorrhage, degenerative process, long-standing hydrocephalus with thinning of the cerebral mantle) had subnormal levels of cAMP and melanotropic activity. These two variables were significantly correlated in the entire series of CSF samples (r=+0.55, P is less than .005). cGMP was elevated in the ventricular fluid of adult and pediatric patients when the ventricular pressure was abnormally elevated. The nucleotide's level rose as high as 50 X normal when ventricular pressure exceeded 300 mm H2O. The concentration of ventricular cGMP was proportional to that of ventricular pressure (r=+0.76, P is less than .005). The correlation was similar regardless of the type of hydrocephalus (congenital or acquired, communicating or obstructive), the age of the patient, or the nature of the underlying disease.

GM1 Ganglioside Concentration in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Hydrocephalic Infants and Children

“…Although these results were of interest, they provided no predictive information about ultimate intellectual outcome. Similarly, work by Rudman et al established a relationship between cyclic nucleotide concentrations in human cerebrospinal fluid and intracranial pressure (7). In this study, one third of hydrocephalic children with psychomotor retardation and thin cerebral mantles also had subnormal levels of cAMP and melanotropic activity in addition to raised cGMP.…”

Cyclic AMP concentrations in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid and urine in patients with acute cerebral hemispheric infarction.

“…According to Welch et al (1975) and Rudman et al (1976), the normal value seems to be in the range of 7-27 pmoles/ml. As shown in Fig.…”

A Critical Evaluation of Continuous Intracranial Pressure Monitoring in Pediatric Hydrocephalus

“…However, Miller and Leech [20] have found a lack of predictability for this method in hydrocephalus. From personal experience with infants the author concurs with this negative view [17], Various CSF biochemical analyses have produced intriguing results in the reports of a number investigators [8,22,24,25], but none have gained widespread acceptance as prognostic indicators. Cytological studies for fat laden macrophages may signify brain damage after meningitis [3], but have not been useful in estimating progressive brain damage in hydrocephalus [17], Radionuclide cisternography and ventriculography were performed for screening purposes and prognostic investigation of pediatric hydrocephalus in a number of clinics prior to the introduction of CT.…”

“…Ncurotransmitters (8) Lipids -fatty acids (22) Lactates-pyruvates (24) Cyclic nucleotides (25) Others Cerebral blood flow procedures (26) Echocncephalography a given patient, is it a progressive or nonprogressive condition? In other words, will the patient benefit front surgical therapy?…”