AMINO-ACID-CONCENTRATIONS IN CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID OF PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS

As oligodendrocytes have binding sites for excitatory amino acids (glu tamate, aspartate, serine, etc.), a role of these molecules in demyeli nating disorders is possible. We measured the levels of amino acids in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with multiple sclerosis in comparison with CSF obtained by myelography from patients with lower b ack pain. There were no significant differences in the CSF concentrati ons of these amino acids between the two groups. Normal concentrations of excitotoxins do not exclude the role of these molecules in demyeli nating disorders.