Abstract
The excitatory amino-acids (EA, eg. glutamate and aspartate) are believed to be of major importance in the pathogenesis of neuronal damage in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Studies in immature animal-models of asphyxia have shown an extracellular accumulation EA. The deleterious effect of EA on the neuron is supported by the fact that the administration of receptor-antagonists is beneficial in experimental models.
Agonist-operated receptors arc well developed in the immature human brain and receptor-density is high in those regions most susceptible to hypoxic-ischemic damage. We have examined the levels of excitatory amino-acids in full-term asphyctic neonates.
Spinal taps were performed in neonates with signs of intrapartum asphyxia (n=10, gestational age 36-42 w, 0-2 days postpartal age) and non-asphyctic neonates without signs of cerebral disease (n=8, GA 29-42 w, 0-13 days postpartum). Amino-acids were analyzed by chromatography (μmol/l).
Results and conclusions: Aspartate (2.72± 1.16 vs 0.66± 0.08) and glutamate (7.92±4.72 vs 1.15± 0.19) differed significantly between asphyctic and non-asphyctic neonates. In the asphyctic group, interindividual differences were high, and further anulyzis will show whclhcr high levels correlate with prognosis or not.
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Blennow, M., Hagberg, H., Thomberg, E. et al. INCREASED CSF-LEVELS OF EXCITOTOXIC AMINO-ACIDS AFTER FULL-TERM PERINATAL ASPHYXIA. Pediatr Res 32, 633 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00168
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00168