A Method for Provoking EEG Abnormalities by Administration of Nialamide

Nialamide, a kind of monoamine oxydase inhibitor, was used for provoking centrence-phalic EEG abnormalities and 6–14 Hz positive spikes. It was assumed that these EEG abnormalities have close relationship with dysfunctions of the brainstem which is rich in monoamines and monoamine oxydase. The nialamide provocation was carried out on 49 inpatients who had centrence-phalic discharges in their EEG reports. These patients consisted of four cases of epilepsy, one case of anorexia nervosa, two cases of narcolepsy and 42 cases of dience-phalosis. Another series of 22 patients suffering from other diseases, in whose EEG no centrencephalic EEG abnormalities were detected, were examined with nialamide. Out of the 49 patients, 35 cases (71.4%) showed increased EEG abnormalities following the administration of nialamide. It was noteworthy that this drug had provocative effect not only for EEG abnormalities, but also for the symptoms from which patients were suffering. In 26 out of 49 patients, both EEG abnormalities and clinical syniptoms were provoked by nialamide. And the nialamide administration resulted in negative on all 22 patients who did not register centrencephalic EEG abnormalities. The mechanism and characteristics of this provocative procedure by the use of nialamide were evaluated.