Electroencephalographic observations on patients undergoing cortisone and ACTH therapy.

Abstract

THE influence of adrenocorticotropin and of cortisone on the brainwave pattern has been casually considered in many studies which have dealt with the clinical aspects and influence of these substances on various diseases for which they have been tried. In 1947 Grenell and McCrawley (1) reported an “increase in amplitude and some change in frequency of brain waves” after administration of adrenocortical extract to experimental animals and humans. Boland and Headley (2) elicited an increase in alpha frequency following cortisone administration. In 1949 Thorn (3) reported a decrease of slow activity and an increase of fast activity along with the general improvement of the electroencephalogram patterns when compound E was given to patients with Addison's disease. There are, however, very few detailed reports with serial electroencephalograms which deal with the effects of these hormones on the brainwave patterns, and the workers on the subject have come to different conclusions.