Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites are increased in dementia with Lewy bodies

Abstract

We compared cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma concentrations of nitric oxide metabolites (NO − x) in 22 patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and 13 matched controls. We found a pronounced increase in NO − x CSF and plasma levels in DLB patients. No changes were found in l-arginine and l-citrulline levels in CSF or plasma. There was no correlation between CSF and plasma levels and age, age of onset, duration of the disease or scores of the MiniMental State Examination. These findings reveal that excessive nitric oxide production may be related to the pathogenesis of DLB.