THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NEURON-SPECIFIC ENOLASE LEVELS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID AND SERUM AFTER EXPERIMENTAL TRAUMATIC BRAIN-DAMAGE

In the posttraumatic period, measurement of neural tissue enzymes in s erum and cerebrospinal fluid gives quantitative information about the severity of the head injury. In our study, we evaluated the relationsh ip between the serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of neuron specific enolase and the severity of trauma. Head traumas at different severit y were applied experimentally (Mild 0.038 N, Moderate 0.057 N, Severe 0.3 N). Serum and cerebrospinal fluid levels of neuron specific enolas e were measured in trauma and control groups of rats. Only in the seve re trauma group, the neuron specific enolase levels of cerebrospinal f luid were significantly increased. There was no statistically signific ant difference between the groups when serum neuron specific enolase l evels were evaluated. Our data leads us to conclude that trauma, causi ng significant neural damage, results in an increase in cerebrospinal fluid neuron specific enolase levels, however the serum neuron specifi c enolase levels do not seem to run parallel with that increase.