Abstract
The role of ammonia in the convulsion is controversial. Torda (1) has reported that the accumulation of the ammonium ion in the brain remained within normal limits just before the convulsive phase induced by various convulsants except ammonia or by electrical stimulation of the brain. According to Takahashi et al. (2), they stated that the intensity of convulsions was associated with the acetylcholine contents of the brain rather than the ammonium ion contents. However, it has been disclosed that the ammonium ion is one of the factors causing convulsions (3, 4). Furthermore, there are some studies showing that the alteration of the ammonium ion contents in the brain susceptively influences the sensitivity of the brain and it gives the indication of the level to the brain function (5, 6). The electroencephalographical studies on the action of ammonium ion have been reported by some investigators (1, 7, 8). For example, Ajmone-Marsan et al. (7) have reported that no typical “epileptic” waves were seen in the cerebral cortex by the injection of ammonium chloride. Thus they concluded that the convulsive movements resulting from ammonium chloride injection was not referable to the cerebral cortex. On the other hand, Kitani et al. (8) have sought the epileptic origin of ammonium chloride seizures for the limbic system including the amygdala. In the present paper, the author has electroencephalographically reexamined the focus and nature of ammonium induced seizures in the rabbits.
