Acute Decreases in Cerebrospinal Fluid Glutathione Levels after Intracerebroventricular Morphine for Cancer Pain

Abstract

We observed acute decreases in glutathione levels in cerebrospinal fluid sampled from patients after intracerebroventricular doses of morphine for intractable cancer pain. Such doses may, by depleting the antioxidant glutathione, render the central nervous system vulnerable to damage from oxidative stress.