THE CHANGES IN PLASMA POTASSIUM LEVEL AFTER EPINEPHRINE IN NORMAL HUMAN BEINGS AND IN PERSONS WITH EPILEPSY

Abstract
The changes in plasma levels of K, Na, and glucose at 4, 20, 60, and 120 min. after an intramusc. injn. of 0.4 mg. of epinephrine were detd. in a group of normal human subjects and a group of subjects with idiopathic epilepsy. Following the epinephrine admn. there was a significant difference in the extent of plasma K fall and the pattern of change in the epileptic group as compared to that in the normal group. The plasma Na levels were not affected in either group. A possible area which suggests a basis for an explanation of the results was discussed.