Diagnostic value of aspartate aminotransferase in the cerebrospinal fluid

As datum, the range of aspartate aminotransferase in the cerebrospinal fluid of adults was determined on the basis of 153 fluid samples and compared with the values obtained from 356 neurological patients. A significant increase in enzyme activity was established in respect of CVI, polyneuropathy, acute encephalitis, and SAB. It was possible to eliminate any dependence of the aspartate aminotransferase activity on serum activity, total protein, and cell count. The increase in activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the cerebrospinal fluid is thus identified as an independent pathological fact, and thus it can be incorporated in diagnostic routine more particularly in the diagnosis of CVI disorders.     

Diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid in childhood hydrocephalus and hydroma

A statistical analysis of 212 patients with infantile pressure hydrocephalus and 61 with infantile subdural hydromas shows that there are no significant differences in the investigated liquor parameters (cell count, differential sediment, total protein, electrophoresis) that permit differentiation between the two. The significant increase found in the beta-tau fraction by liquor electrophoresis in the hydrocephalus patients is unsuitable for use as a differential diagnostic criterion on account of its poor discrimination. The results of liquor examinations following drainage operations are dealt with separately, and a liquor syndrome found as a rule in liquor taken from a Rickham reservoir is described.     

Diagnostic value of quantitative and qualitative variations in cerebrospinal fluid proteins]

Values of the liquor pherogram, which were obtained by means of electrophoresis on acetate folie and classified by disease groups and by the proportions of beta-globulin and first fraction, are compared, with respect to the absolute contents, by reference to tables and figures. The diagnostic importance of low total protein contents in the lumbar liquors of adults is considered in connection with a discussion of the usefulness of indicating the liquor pherogram in terms of percentage or absolute values.     

Diagnostic assessment of cerebrospinal fluid protein in brain and spinal tumors

The cerebrospinal fluid of 69 patients with tumors of the brain and the spine was examined for total protein content, IgG concentration, IgG total protein quotient, and electrophoretic protein pattern. There is no specific finding in the case of the central nervous system. At best characteristic constellations may be established.     

Diagnostic value of the cerebrospinal fluid-blood lactate quotient in mental disorders in elderly persons]

The lactate levels of cerebrospinal fluid and blood were measured enzymatically and simultaneously in 40 gero-psychiatric patients. After calculating the fluid-blood-lactate-quotients, two distinct groups emerged, whose mean quotients showed significant difference. In the first group (15 patients) with a mean quotient of 1.06, the diagnosis of cerebral arteriosclerosis was clinically confirmed in only one case. In the second group (21 patients) with a mean quotient of 1.42, however, this occurred sixteen times, which represents a proportion of 2/3. Thus, it appears that a higher quotient suggests the diagnosis of cerebral arteriosclerosis. Further examinations are though necessary.     

Assessment of prealbumin in cerebrospinal fluid

The paper describes statistical relationship between prealbumin and total protein in lumbal CSF of a control group and a total group of patients with neurological diseases. The equations of the regression lines and the boundary lines of the distribution areas did not significantly differ between both groups. Therefore, prealbumin seems to be not qualified for differential diagnosis. On the other hand, its application to characterize functional states of blood-brain-CSF barrier systems is discussed.     

Determination of dipeptidyl aminopeptidase activities in the cerebrospinal fluid

The investigation of enzyme activity in cerebrospinal fluid has been without relevant results for laboratories analysing spinal fluid. For neurochemical purposes, it is interesting that the Substance P is convered by Depeptidyl-aminopeptidase IV (DP IV), liberating dipeptides. The hydrolysis of nitroanilids of the form Xaa-Pro-NHNp in cerebrospinal fluid was analysed using them as peptidases substrates. Finally a method for measuring the activity was proposed.     

IgG determination in the cerebrospinal fluid--correlation of these results with other cerebrospinal fluid values

IgG determined by means of quantitative radial immunodiffusion in the cerebrospinal fluid of 225 neurological patients correlates in a statistically significant manner (p less than 0.001) with the gamma-globulin determined by the acetate foil electrophoresis. The indication of the IgG as a percentage of the total protein (limiting value of 10 per cent) is suitable for an orientating assessment in the diagnosis of inflammatory-immunoreactive diseases of the central nervous system. The IgG-values exceeding 10 per cent of the total protein correlate in 260 fluids examined in the respect with the percental value of the lymphocyte content which also lies above the reference range (p less than 0.001). For the assessment of the presence of a barrier disturbance, a comparison with the serum values should be carried out, either in the form of the frequently used fluid/serum quotients of the immunglobulin or the electrophoretically separated protein fraction.     

Diagnostic value of the Meyer-Probst Encephalopathy Questionnaire

Clinical tests on 117 children with behavioural disturbances showed that the Meyer- Probst encephalopathy questionnaire can be used to distinguish between encephalopathic and nonencephalopathic children. It is thus a valuable addition to the diagnostic methods in clinical use and is also a useful instrument for progress checks.     

Diagnostic value of the H-reflex index in alcoholic polyneuropathy

We examined the H-reflex-index of triceps surae muscle (HI) and the motor nerve conduction velocity of the tibial nerve (mNLG) of 56 alcohol dependent patients. The results were compared with neurologic disorders, duration of the dependency and the type of alcoholism according to Jellinek. The HI showed significant more pathological changes than the mNLG.     

Function of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier and selected biochemical cerebrospinal fluid components in senile dementias of various types

Some selected CSF and serum components were determined in demental patients classified by the Hachinski test into vascular and primary-degenerative groups. As for the vascular group, the frequency distribution of the serum/CSF albumin ratios characterizing the barrier function corresponds to that of controls, in primary-degenerative cases, however, it is shifted to higher values. In vascular dementia higher CSF LAP activities pointing to actual cell damaging processes in the CNS were found. The concentrations of lactate and some trace metals in CSF and serum are not suitable for differential diagnostic purposes.     

Concentrating cerebrospinal fluid cells with the sedimentation chamber--comparative methodologic studies

The loss of cerebrospinal fluid cells is considerable when the sedimentation chamber was used. Methodical variations resulted in an increasing cell count on the slide. The absolute number of lymphocytes increased more than that of monocytes. Caused by the higher cell count, especially lymphocytes, the relative values in cell differentiation between lymphocytes and monocytes are changed. For differential counting of lymphocytes, monocytes and other cerebrospinal fluid cell types the elevated cell count is an important factor. Differentiation between subpopulations of lymphocytes by means of this procedure however is problematically because the loss of lymphocytes can be of a selective nature.