CEREBROSPINAL FLUID CONCENTRATIONS OF LAUDANOSINE AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF ATRACURIUM

The concentration of laudanosine in cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF)was measured in four patients undergoing brain electrode placementafter the administration of atracurium. CSF: plasma laudanosineconcentration ratios ranged from < 1 to 14%, with a rangeof CSF laudanosine concentration of <2–14 ng ml^–1.One patient had no detectable laudanosine in CSF, but samplingin this patient was possible for only 30 min. There was no atracuriumdetectable in the CSF of any patient. We conclude that laudanosinecrosses the blood-brain barrier and further study of its centralnervous system effects in man is warranted.