THE FREE AMINO ACIDS IN HUMAN CEREBROSPINAL FLUID

Abstract —(a) The free amino acids in human cerebrospinal fluid from 78 subjects have been determined by means of ion exchange chromatography. Analyses were performed on 2 to 3 ml of CSF. (b) Normal values are given for a control group of 13 subjects. (c) The presence of homocarnosine in human CSF is ascertained. The concentration of this dipeptide is very high in CSF samples from phenylketonuric patients. (d) The CSF amino acid pattern in 20 patients with a metabolic disease is discussed. (e) The CSF amino acid pattern of 38 patients suffering from a variety of neurological conditions are reported.