[Serotonin and its metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid and blood of patients with tumors of the spinal cord]. / Serotonin i ego metabolity v likvore i krovi bol'nykh s opukholiami spinnogo mozga.

Twenty-six patients with extra- and intramedullary tumors of the spinal cord had a considerably increased content of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, and melatonin in the cerebrospinal fluid (highest in patients with total blockade of the subarachnoid space) as well as of serotonin in blood platelets. The results of tests for serotonin metabolism can be used as a diagnostic test in the early stages of the tumor growth and are an additional factor in determining the indications for contrast examination of patients with a suspected spinal tumor.

Increased polyamine concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with brain tumors.

An automated method for the quantitative analysis of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was used to analyze CSF samples from 37 patients with central nervous system (CNS) tumors and from 13 patients without tumors. The putrescine and spermidine concentrations in the CSF of most patients in tumors, particularly those with glioblastomas or medulloblastomas, were elevated when compared with those of non-tumor-bearing patients.