[Free amino acid contents in the spinal cord of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

We analysed free amino acid contents in anterior horn, posterior horn, lateral column and posterior column of the spinal cord transections from autopsied cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and compared the results with those from non-ALS cases. Content of free glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (Asp) was reduced significantly not only in the lateral portion where pyramidal tracts run through but also in other portions of cervical cords of ALS cases. Contents of glycine, gamma-aminobutyric acid and taurine were not different between ALS and non-ALS cervical cords. The results suggest that some metabolic disorders of these excitatory amino acid transmitter candidates may exist in ALS spinal cord.