HUMAN BRAIN METABOLISM

The metabolism of the brain was studied in normal, schizophrenic, paretic and senile subjects, and the effect of alcohol, paraldehyde and morphine was studied. Arterio-venous differences for oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose and lactic acid were determined by means of internal jugular puncture. The observations support the following conclusions: 1. The O2 arterio-venous difference of the brain in schizophrenics, both before and after insulin therapy, is normal. 2. In general paresis the O2 arterio-venous difference of the brain shows a slight diminution of questionable significance. 3. The O2 arterio-venous difference of the brain in patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis is normal, but their systemic circulation is somewhat slow. This would indicate a reduced brain metabolism. 4. The O2 arterio-venous difference in chronic alcoholism tends to be higher than normal and is associated with an elevated arterial glucose level. 5. Alcohol and morphine diminish the O2 arterio-venous difference of the brain. 6. In therapeutic doses paraldehyde did not diminish the O2 arterio-venous difference of the brain of chronic alcoholic patients.