Serum and C.S.F. levels of transaminases in neurological disorders

Summary

The levels of transaminases in the C.S.F. and the serum in forty cases of various neurological disorders were determined. In most of the cases of tuber-culous meningitis the C.S.F. levels of transaminases showed an increase corresponding to the rise in proteins and cell count. High levels were noted in cases with more severe involvement of the disease with multiple neurological deficit. Some of the cases of epilepsy showed increased contents of serum transaminases. In other cases of neurological disorders the values of C.S.F. and serum transaminases were within the normal limits or showed only a borderline elevation. It is apparent that the estimation of these enzymes in neurological disorders does not have any diagnostic value. It may, however, be possible to correlate the raised transaminase levels with brain damage and thus help to prognosticate the development of sequelae such as paralysis of the extremities and cranial nerves, spinal blocks, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, etc.