EFFECTS OF HYPOGLYCEMIA AND ANOXIA ON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Abstract

During the past three years a series of investigations has been carried out on man and animals in order to clarify the mechanism by which hypoglycemia acts on the central nervous system. These investigations seem to be of considerable practical importance, since insulin is used with some success in the treatment of schizophrenia. The purpose of the present paper is threefold: (1) to show that under the influence of hypoglycemia the central nervous system reacts in a manner similar to that observed in a state of anoxia and that hypoglycemia sensitizes the central nervous system to anoxia; (2) to discuss in the light of these findings the probable nature of the procedures commonly used in the treatment of schizophrenia, and (3) to suggest, on the basis of the experimental findings and the critical discussions, a new treatment for schizophrenia. <h3>EFFECT OF HYPOGLYCEMIA ON THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM</h3> Olmsted and Logan