Effects of Lidocaine on Spontaneous Cortical and Subcortical Electrical Activity

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Abstract
ALTHOUGH the actions of local anesthetics on the peripheral nervous system have been studied in detail for a number of years,1-6only relatively recently has attention been focused on the central effects produced when these agents are given intravenously. This recent interest is due in great measure to the current use of lidocaine (Xylocaine) as an anticonvulsant7-9and as an adjunct in general anesthesia.10-12An action of the local anesthetics which is difficult to relate to these effects is the production of convulsions in animals9,13-16and man17,18when higher doses are administered. The effects of intravenously administered lidocaine and other local anesthetics on the electroencephalogram recorded from the surface have been described in cat,13rabbit,16monkey,9and man.18,19The effects of the drug upon subcortical activities have not been thoroughly studied. Lesse and Gault20described an alteration in amygdaloid