ELECTROCLINICAL FEATURES OF CONVULSIONS INDUCED BY STIMULATION OF BRAIN STEM

Abstract

Stimulation of the brain-stem reticular formation of the cat in a state of wakefulness produces, when sufficiently strong (retangular impulses, 1 msec, long, 50/sec, at 1-2 ma), a self-sustained convulsive seizure lasting for 10-30 sec. after the end of the stimulation. Clinically, the seizure is characterized by a very marked tonic paroxysm upon which high-frequency small clonias appear occasionally. The electromyogram shows that both the flexor and extensor muscles are involved. During the motor paroxysm and for 30-100 sec. afterwards, the corticogram is strongly desyn-chronized. The seizure is elicited by stimulation of rhombo-mesen-cephalic neuronal networks since it can be reproduced under the same conditions after decerebration at precollicular levels.