The effect of prolonged experimental hypercapnia on the brain.

Thirteen adult rabbits were exposed to a breathing air mixture containing an increasing amount of CO2 for eight weeks. When the CO2 content reached 9 Vol% the animals became apathic and lost body weight. The EEG showed a reduction of the amplitudes of 1o Hz frequences. Blood gases revealed an increase of bicarbonate but no change of pH. The blood brain barrier which was tested when the animals were killed was not disturbed. Enzyme histochemistry, light and electron microscopy revealed that moderate brain edema had occurred. From these results it is concluded that chronic hypercapnia has a hypnotic effect which in combination with chronic edema may depress vital activities considerably. However, there seem to be no irreversible morphological alterations of the brain.