Journal of Mental Science (1931) 77: 119-126. doi: 10.1192/bjp.77.316.119
© 1931 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Organic Acids of the Cerebro-Spinal Fluid
R. H. Hurst, Ph.D., B.Sc., A.I.C., Maudsley Research Fellow
Central Pathological Laboratory of the London Country Mental Hospitals
ABSTRACT
- Lactic acid and "total organic acids" were estimated in cerebro-spinal fluid from cases of general paralysis and from non-paretic patients. In a number of fluids from cases of general paralysis the amino-acid content was also determined.
- The results, which are tabulated, show no increase of lactic acid in general paralysis, but a definite increase in "total organic acids."
- It is argued from the nature of the titration curves obtained, and from other evidence, that the results for organic acids include weak basic material unaccounted for by ordinary methods of analysis, and that this is responsible for the increase in the case of general paralysis.