THE EFFECT OF ADRENOCHROME AND NIACIN ON THE ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAM OF EPILEPTICS
A. SZATMARI M. D.1,
A. HOFFER PH. D., M. D.2, , and
R. SCHNEIDER 3
1 Research neuropsychiatrist, Psychiatric Services Branch, Department of Public Health, Regina, Sask.
2 Director of psychiatric research, Psychiatric Services Branch, Department of Public Health, Regina, Sask.
3 EEG Technician, Regina General Hospital, Regina, Sask.
1. Adrenochrome in dosages of 10 mgms. does not change the EEG of normal volunteers, but in 10, 25, and 50 mgm. doses increases the bilateral paroxysmal abnormalities in the EEG of epileptics, but has very little effect on the cortical focus itself.
2. Nicotinic acid given orally or intravenously in normal volunteers showed a slight shift in EEG frequency to the fast side; in epileptics the drug considerably decreases the bilateral diffuse paroxysmal abnormalities (except in true idiopathic epilepsy), but has very little influence on the focus itself.
3. The mode of action of the above-named drugs is discussed.
4. A tentative explanation is offered as to the genesis of the paroxysmal EEG disturbance in schizophrenia.
