[Serotonin and kinins in the cerebrospinal fluid in brain tumors]

Concentrations of serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, melatonin and parameters of the kinin system in the cerebrospinal fluid were monitored in 109 cases of brain tumor. All the levels were increased prior to surgery but returned to normal postoperatively unless disease followed an unfavorable course. It was suggested that the above-mentioned physiologically active substances play a certain role in compensatory mechanisms assuring recovery of CNS function.