Correlation between blood gases, glycolytic enzymes and EEG during electroconvulsive treatment in relaxation.

Twenty-three psychiatric patients were investigated during electroconvulsive treatment in relaxation. The blood gases, pH and serum bicarbonate levels in blood samples from the internal jugular vein and the femoral artery were measured radiometrically. The LDH fractions were separated electrophoretically and their activity, along with the activity of aldolase, was then determined on test materials. EEG recordings were made during the seizure and also during postconvulsive restitution. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) There was no evidence of anoxic anoxia in the brain during and after seizures. (2) A close relationship was found between the corresponding phases of electrical activity and brain metabolism as indicated by the blood gas changes during postconvulsive restitution. (3) On the basis of the increased glycolytic activity in the sera it is probable that glucose metabolism was shifted in the anaerobic direction during postconvulsive restitution of the brain tissues.