Caffeine-induced changes in the composition of the free amino acid pool of the cerebral cortex.

The free amino acid content in the cerebral cortex of rats administered caffeine orally, and with automutilation behavior similar to that observed in the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, have been measured. Amino acids significantly elevated were taurine, histidine and aspartic acid, whereas tyrosine showed a significant reduction. There was no change in the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid. It has been conjectured that changes in amino acids levels in the cortex might be responsible for the pharmacological action of caffeine and for the progressive behavior abnormalities observed in these rats. Interestingly these results are similar to these found recently in experimental uremia.