PYRUVATE, CITRATE, ALPHAKETOGLUTARATE AND GLUCOSE IN THE CSF AND BLOOD OF NEUROLOGIC PATIENTS

CSF and blood levels of pyruvate, citrate, alphaketoglutarate and glucose were obtained from some 250 neurologic patients with various diagnoses. Statistical comparisons were made between these metabolites from each patient group and normal volunteers. Significantly increased CSF pyruvates occurred in cerebrovascular disease, and they were decreased in pseudotumor cerebri. CSF citrates were elevated in a number of conditions but blood citrates did not accompany this rise. CSF alphaketoglutarates did not change, but blood levels were elevated in cerebrovascular disorders. CSF citrate levels were significantly related to CSF total protein levels. CSF citrate changes seem to have diagnostic value in patients with neurological disorders apart from changes in pyruvates or lactates.