[Neurotransmitter changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]

The results of investigation concerning both total and cerebral catecholamine metabolism indices in 78 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are presented. The considerable elevation of both blood and liquor norepinephrine level as well as of blood epinephrine concentration was observed together with acute decrease of platelet MAO B activity. The conclusion was made about the participation of catecholamines in exitotoxic mechanisms of motor neurons systems death which was quite characteristic for ALS development. A short literary review was presented concerning the role of neurotransmitters in regulation of motor functions. The neurochemical disturbances which may result in release of exitotoxic mechanisms of ALS were considered too. The consideration of data obtained as well as the analysis of modern conceptions of ALS pathogenesis enable both to determine some ways of ALS pathogenetic therapy and to define the basic directions of further investigations.