Cerebroautonomic and Myographic Changes Accompanying Induced Seizures

Abstract

By blocking muscular activity with 0.2% succinylcholine in IV drip, metrazol induced seizures in 41 epileptic patients were studied. The patient was maintained with positive pressure 100% O2 during the procedure. Simultaneous emg, ekg, and eeg recordings were made. Blood pressure was taken in the usual manner from the antecubital fossa. It was observed that tachycardia, hypertension, muscular tonus, micturition, and salivation are all component parts of a generalized seizure, but each of these physiologic abnormalities do not appear simultaneously during a generalized seizure (grand mal). This procedure has limited diagnostic usefulness in the eeg laboratory.