Concentrations of free amino acids in plasma, erythrocytes and cerebrospinal fluid in coma.

The concentrations of free amino acids were measured in plasma and erythrocytes in 15 patients, and in cerebrospinal fluid in eight patients, who were in coma. Although there was a variety of causes of coma, there seemed to be a characteristic pattern of the concentrations of amino acids for coma, and the plasma/cerebrospinal fluid ratios also showed constant patterns.