Electroencephalograph Correlates of Ammonium Carbonate Intoxication in the Rat

Abstract

IN the literature^1,2 relating to ammonia intoxication in man and animals, the basic assumption has been that ammonia exerts a primary chemical action on brain cells. However, of the two papers in the animal experimental group on the effect of ammonia on the functioning of the central nervous system using electroencephalography, Marsan et al. ³ interpreted the transiently decreased electrical activity observed in the dog's brain as a direct consequence of general cellular anoxia due to an embarrassed cardiac output; and Torda⁴ believed her results indicated an increase in cerebral activity because of the paroxysmal slow waves following the intraperitoneal injection of ammonium chloride. We have demonstrated that under proper conditions of administration of ammonium salt, a primary cortical neuronal response may be achieved, as evidenced by a decreased electric output.