Brain Respiration and Glycolysis in Cardiazol Convulsions

Abstract

Since Hildebrandt (1926) described the convulsant effect of cardiazol injection, several studies have been carried out on the mechanism of such convulsions. Zung and Tremonti (1931) suggested a direct action on the respiratory centre when cardiazol is used as a stimulant; Kerr and Antaki (1937) found no effect on brain glycogen or phosphocreatine in cardiazol-induced convulsions; Hashimoto (1937) found differences in distribution of calcium and potassium ions in the central nervous system after cardiazol. Goodwin and Lloyd (1938) recorded a direct effect on brain potential changes as shown on oscillographic records. Leibel and Hall (1938) found a large (75 per cent.) diminution of cerebral blood-flow at the onset of cardiazol convulsions. Weigand (1938) found no effect on liver glycogen or vitamin A content, reducing power of suprarenal cortex or blood picture. Denyssen and Watterson (1938) and Watterson and Macdonald (1939) attribute the convulsions to action on the vasomotor centre and note the action of vasodilator drugs in inhibiting convulsions. Wortis (1938) quoted by Quastel (1939) found no effect on brain respiration.