[Differentiation of amentive from catatonic syndromes]

The authors conducted a comparative analysis of multiple EEG records in 65 patients with amentia and 35 patients with remittent (periodical) catatonia. Besides, background registrations, reactive shifts in the EEG in photo and phono-stimulation was studied along with a study of introduced substances of a central adreno- and cholinolytical action. The quantitative spectres and indices of general and relative spacial synchronization were studied as well. The neurophysiological disorders in amentia and catatonia besides some common traits also demonstrated certain differences. The authors discuss the subcortical and stem shifts in the light of the concept of reciprocal ascending influences of mesencephalic retiticular formation and nonspecific systems of the midbrain.