Glycolysis in Cerebro-Spinal Fluid and Its Clinical Significance

Abstract

Normal cerebrospinal fluid contains a glycolytic ferment which, after withdrawal, gradually causes the glucose present to disappear completely. This ferment is specific for glucose. Lactic acid is formed quantitatively during glycolysis, of which it is a product. Therefore any examination of the cerebrospinal fluid from the point of view of normality of sugar content can be of value only if made immediately after withdrawal. Concentration of sugar is 0.1-0.15% in ventricular and 0.086-0.93% in cisternal and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid. Concentration of sugar in the cerebrospinal fluid depends on the blood-sugar level and in ventricular fluid is identical therewith. The apparent increase in sugar content of cerebrospinal fluid in encephalitis lethargica is merely a reflection of, and dependent upon, the hyper-glycemia usually present in this condition.