The evaluation of EEG-findings during the acute phase of stroke-patients is somewhat difficult particularly in regard to the voltage-production, less in regard to the temporary retardation of frequency. Within comparable neurophysiological and biochemical examinations of the experimental brain-infarct under standardized conditions of silicon-rubber-embolus was introduced intracarotideally and an occlusion of the media-trunk evoked. One day prior to the embolisation and on the first, third and fifth day thereafter EEG-derivation took place which were stored on analogous-tape, digitalized and were then confronted with the FFT-Algorithm. From the statistical point of view four animal groups were the result: HO-group (control group), H1-, H3- and H5-group (each time N = 6). Visual evaluation of the curves, descriptive and inferential statistics of the spectral EEG estimators showed a significant loss of power within five days after the infarction; it always was more distinct across the focal side than across the not immediately involved hemisphere. On the fifth day the original level of voltage was almost reached again. From the clinical standpoint the neurological deficits had practically been disappeared. The biochemical finishing of the dog-brains -- the results of which are planned to be confronted with the electrophysiological results in another paper -- in accordance with the papers of other authors brings close the assumption that the decrease of tension i.e. the loss of power of the electric potential during the first days after infarction is combined with a temporary decrease of the energetic potential of the metabolically active corticocerebral cells which is tied to the phosphagene-system of the highly energetical phosphates and metabolites of the energy-metabolism in the brain.

In a strictly selected material of 80 patients, who were all outpatients of a special nephrological clinic, with chronic renal insufficiency with retention values of 1.4-14.5 mg% serum creatinine, an EEG was done besides thorough neurological and internal examinations. In 21 cases (26.2%) a pathological EEG in the form of background slowing and general dysrhythmia. There was a tendency to increase in pathological EEG findings in correlation with increase of the retention values. The patients with pathological EEG had on the average a creatinine value of 5.89 mg%, those without EEG findings had an average creatinine value of 3.98 mg%. The difference is statistically significant (alpha less than or equal to 0.015). It is notable that there is a statistical correlation (alpha less than or equal to 0.005) between the presence of pathological EEG and the motor conduction velocity of the peroneal nerve: only 12% of the patients with a conduction velocity of less than 43 m/sec had a pathological EEG while 60% of the patients with a conduction velocity of more than 43 m/sec had EEG findings. No statistical correlation were found between the EEG changes and other neurological and internal signs and symptoms, including cardiovascular findings like the blood pressure.

Two patients from families with hereditary spastic paraplegia (recessive and dominant type) were examined electromyographically. It was found that the peripheral motor neuron is involved. It is assumed that in cases of infantile recessive familial spastic paraplegia the peripheral motor neuron is rather more involved than in those of the dominant type of spastic paraplegia.

The H reflex in the triceps surae muscle was elicited by just supraliminal stimulation of the tibial nerve. It was conditioned by paired impulses to the brachial plexus or the forelimb nerves and in some cases to other sites of the body. With a conditioning test interval of 32-47 msec a facilitation occurred which reached its maximum at about 80 msec and lasted for about 400 msec. The facilitation evoked by ipsilateral conditioning had a shorter latency than that from contralateral (ipsilateral: 32-42 msec, contralateral; 37-47 msec). The facilitation at the optimum interval (about 80 msec) ranged between 1;5 and 11.3 times of the control values. Ipsilateral conditioning was slightly more effective than the contralateral one (Fig. 1, 2). Stimulation of different forelimb nerves at an interval of 80 msec showed only insignificant differences in the amount of facilitation but was more effective than skin stimulation in the most cases (Fig. 3). Varying the intensity of the conditioning stimulus showed that facilitation occurred with just perceptable stimuli but it became more pronounced as soon as pain threshold (2-3 time of perception threshold) was exceeded (Fig. 3). This suggests that facilitation was mainly due to activation of nociceptor afferents. From the onset of facilitation and the conduction velocities of the respective forelimb and hindlimb afferents (cf. 6) a central reflex lantency of about 43 msec was calculated. To get further insight into the central connections of the reflex loop the H reflex was conditioned by paravertebral stimulation at C5 and L1 level. Both stimuli caused a distinct facilitation. However, the latency of the onset was 10-15 msec shorter with lumbar stimulation than with cervical stimulation. This and the similar time course of facilitation seen in animal experiments (12) suggest that an early part of facilitation is mediated via a descending propriospinal pathway. The major part, however, is supposed to be mediated via supraspinal pathways and seems to be related to a startle response.

The authors present their experience with manometric studies, before and after Thal's fundic patch operation, in patients with Chagas' megaesophagus. The preoperative studies showed in the majority of the patients synchronous, waves of normal duration, that had low peak pressure and were repetitive (vigorous achalasia). The postoperative studies showed disappearance of the vigorous achalasia in over half the patients and increase of the contraction peak pressure in one patient.

A system for evaluation of motor function, balance, some sensation qualities and joint function in hemiplegic patients is described in detail. The system applies a cumulative numerical score. A series of hemiplegic patients has been followed from within one week post-stroke and throughout one year. When initially nearly flaccid hemiparalysis prevails, the motor recovery, if any occur, follows a definable course. The findings in this study substantiate the validity of ontogenetic principles as applicable to the assessment of motor behaviour in hemiplegic patients, and foocus the importance of early therapeutic measures against contractures.