Sympathetic response to subarachnoid hemorrhage estimated by DBH activity in serum and CSF (author's transl)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to determine the change of sympathetic nervous functions after subarachnoid hemorrhage. The method used is an assay of dopamine-β-hydroxylase activity in serum, which is proportionally released to norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve end, and it is currently regarded as a parameter of sympathetic nervous function. DBH activity in cerebrospinal fluid was also estimated. The results obtained were as follows; 1. After subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of intracranial aneurysm, the function of sympathetic nervous system was hyperactive and gradually recovered to the normal level. Few days after operation of intracranial aneurysm the DBH activity increased again transiently, indicating temporary hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous function. 2. The patient with severe aggravation of clinical symptoms, which mostly resulted from cerebral angiospasm, showed marked fluctuating increase and decrease of serum DBH activity. The fluctuating change of DBH activity in serum indicates the instability of sympathetic nervous system, coincident with clinical disorders. 3. DBH activity in cerebrospinal fluid showed no relation to cerebral angiospasm. It was suggested that these changes of sympathetic nervous system could result from vascular disturbance of hypothalamus after subarachnoid hemorrhage.