EVALUATION OF INTRA-BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER IGG SYNTHESIS RATE AND BLOOD-BRAIN-BARRIER FUNCTION IN NORMAL RHESUS-MONKEYS

In order to evaluate blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity and intra-BBB IgG synthesis under CSF pathologic conditions, it is necessary to est ablish normal values in a control population. In this study an evaluat ion was made of the blood brain barrier (BBB) integrity and intra-BBB IgG synthesis in the central nervous system (CNS) of normal juvenile r hesus monkeys to establish these values. Parallel cisternal cerebral s pinal fluid (CSF) and venous serum samples were collected from 12 heal thy male rhesus monkeys. Normal values for CSF/serum ratios of IgG and of albumin were determined and incorporated in the TOURTELLOTTE formu la for quantitation of intrathecally synthesized IgG per 24 hours. The effect of systemic mannitol administration on the BBB was also evalua ted by the primate adapted formula and magnetic resonance imaging cont rast enhanced studies.