Amino acid levels in human CSF after generalized seizure.

We studied the possible role of excitatory and inhibitory amino acids and their balance during generalized convulsions. The levels of amino acids in postictal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were compared with amino acid concentrations in interictal CSF of ten patients with generalized tonic-clonic convulsions. Glu, Gln, Asp, Asn, Tau, Gly, total GABA (t-GABA), free GABA (f-GABA), and homocarnosine levels and Glu/Gln, Asp/Asn, t-GABA/Glu, f-GABA/Glu, f-GABA/Asp, and Glu/Asp ratios were similar in both samples (Student's paired t-test). Our results suggest that in humans possible changes in amino acids in brain tissue during the ictal stage are not reflected in the lumbar CSF.