Presence of Free and Conjugated Noradrenaline in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid

The noradrenaline (NA) in the lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was estimated by the trihydroxy‐indole reaction in patients with lumbar root syndromes or with mental diseases. The mean values found were 0.2±0.08 pg/l (7 cases) and 0.5±0.03 μ g/l (68 of 72 cases), respectively. In 4 cases of the latter group much higher values were obtained. In one case adrenaline was found in the CSF. So significant amounts of dopamine were demonstrable in the CSF. Conjugated NA in the CSF, which was detected in 19 of 22 cases studied, increased after oral administration of NA. The origin of free and conjugated NA in CSF with respect to the blood‐SCF barrier is discussed.