Electroencephalographic findings in children treated with cytotoxic agents

106 EEG investigations were carried out in 17 children with various types of neoplastic disease without cerebral involvement during one or more courses of treatment with cytotoxic agents. EEGs were recorded before and 24 h after administration of the drugs. A transient slowing of the dominant frequency in the alpha-band by about 1 c/s and a decrease in the relative power of alpha-activity by 20-30% was observed in only 4 patients. These children did not receive the same antineoplastic treatment. 1 patient received very high dose methotrexate, 2 patients received vincristine combined with other cytotoxic agents, and the other patient received L-asparaginase. It is suggested that EEG changes in patients receiving intravenous cytotoxic treatment usually occur only where there is a preexisting impairment of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier or the blood-brain barrier.