Blood and cerebrospinal fliud (CSF) samples were taken at 3.5–5 years of age (N=72 and N=139, respectively) under ketamine anesthesia (10 mg/kg, IM) for measurement of levels of CRH, ACTH and cortisol. Samples were obtained within five minutes of capture. Cisternal CSF samples were immediately aliquoted in polypropylene tubes, and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Blood samples were placed on wet ice and centrifuged at 4°C for 20 min, after which plasma was aliquoted and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. CSF and plasma samples were stored at −70°C until assayed.
