Cerebrospinal fluid‐glutamic oxalacetic acid transaminase in patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy and in neurologic diseases

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid transaminase was determined by a greatly simplified method in 23 patients before and after electroconvulsive therapy and in 149 patients with various neurologic diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid showed a significant elevation in transaminase activity 12 hours after electroconvulsive therapy; this had returned toward normal by 48 hours after treatment. Of 20 patients with cerebrovascular stroke, 15 had an elevation in cerebrospinal fluid transaminase by measurements made within 24 hours of onset of symptoms. There appeared to be no relationship between the initial level and clinical course. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid transaminase levels were found in 3 patients with metastatic tumors compressing the spinal cord, whereas 10 patients with brain tumors, some of which were metastatic, had normal transaminase activity. All of 4 patients undergoing pneumoencephalographic study had elevated cerebrospinal fluid transaminase levels at the end of the procedure. Of 36 patients with grand mal epilepsy, 8 had elevated cerebrospinal fluid transaminase activity shortly after generalized seizures. There was no significant elevation in the cerebrospinal fluid transaminase in patients with degenerative diseases of the central nervous system.