An electroencephalographic study of 4-aminopyridine.

The electroencephalographic (EEG) effects of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) given intravenously in therapeutic doses were studied in four conscious human volunteers. 4-AP (0.2 mg/kg) caused an increase of the occipital alpha peak frequency of 0.4 to 1.0 Hz. In the dose range of 0.2 to 0.3 mg/kg there was neither evidence for epileptic activity in the EEG nor were any clinical side effects observed. This dose of 4-AP was also found to antagonize diazepam-induced sleep in four volunteers. In addition 4-AP (0.3 mg/kg) hastened the recovery by a factor of 4 in four patients having endoscopic procedures under diazepam-nitrous oxide anesthesia.