The EEG in Three Cases of Periodic Catatonia

Abstract

One hundred and forty electroencephalograms from three periodic catatonic patients have been studied. They were taken by N. B. Johannessen during the metabolic studies of R. and L. Gjessing. A quantitative correlation [SEE THE TABLE I IN SOURCE PDF] between the mental state, the excretion of catecholamine metabolites, changes in the alpha rhythm and other factors in the EEG are presented and discussed. In particular the alpha frequency increases and its amplitude decreases during the recurring psychotic phases. The graph of the alpha frequency and mean dominant frequency has the same shape as the excretion of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-mandelic acid (VMA) and of normetadrenaline suggesting a possible relationship with sympathetic nervous system changes.