CSF Levels of Norepinephrine During Alcohol Withdrawal

Abstract
• Cerebrospinal fluid norepinephrine (NE) levels were determined by radioenzymatic assay in 21 patients with a variety of neurological diseases and 49 patients in acute alcohol withdrawal. A second determination was made in 19 patients who had recovered from the alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Cerebrospinal fluid NE concentration was higher in the patients during alcohol withdrawal (192.3 ± 22.3 pg/mL) and decreased during recovery to 137.8 ± 15.9 pg/mL. The CSF NE level was higher in both groups than in patients with other neurological disorders. This may help to explain the adrenergic signs observed during alcohol withdrawal.