[Tumor-induced hypoglycemia and bioelectric activity of the brain in cancer patients]

Changes in bioelectric activity of the brain were observed in 56 patients with disseminated breast cancer which pointed to the activation of the hypothalamus. Hyperglycemia, with blood-sugar levels being 4-6 times the basal normal one, was induced in 16 patients by a single injection of glucose. As a result, a 50-80% transient improvement in electroencephalographic indexes was obtained, hypothalamic excitation subsiding and optimal indexes matching peaks of hyperglycemia. It is concluded that the said changes in the bioelectric activity of the brain in cancer patients are largely of compensatory nature and should be regarded as a response to tumor-induced hypoglycemia.