The effect of benzedrine on the post-eléctroshock ÉÉG

1. 1. In 44 Macacus rhesus monkeys and in 15 humans, the observations of other investigators on immediate and prolonged EEG effects of electroshock convulsions have been repeated and confirmed. 2. 2. EEG alterations during and after electroshock convulsions can be divided into five phases: 1. High amplitude fast waves appear during the tonic phase of the convulsion. 2. Fast and slow waves are mixed during the clonic phase of the convulsion. 3. Marked low amplitude, or flattening, characterizes the electroencephalogram during the immediate postconvulsive period. 4. High amplitude 1–3 per second waves appear most prominently in the frontal leads and persist during the period of post-convulsive stupor. 5. Six per second and then normal frequencies are mixed with the 1–3 per second waves, and there is a gradual shift to normal. 3. 3. The fourth phase, that of extreme postconvulsive slowing, was eliminated in 11 of 19 trials in monkeys when Benzedrine 1–3 mg/kilo was given subcutaneously 10–15 minutes before the shock, and the animals appeared more alert. In humans, Benzedrine was not adequately tested for its effect on immediate post-convulsive slowing but, as in the monkeys, it did not affect the fifth phase. It did not alter post-convulsive confusion. 4. 4. The Benzedrine effect was not reproduced by any of the other drugs tested. These included the dextro-and laevorotatory forms of Benzedrine. Both the vasomotor and central nervous system stimulating effects of racemic Benzedrine appeared to play a role in the mechanism of its action. 5. 5. The persistence of post-convulsive slowing was also affected by the number of shocks and by the position of the shocking electrodes: it was increased with increasing numbers of s shocks and by trans-frontal electroshock. Electroencephalographic slowing was less persistent after trans-occipital than after trans-frontal shocks, and the site of maximum slowing tended to be posterior with posteriorly delivered shocks.