Abstract
In 12 cases of periodic extremity paralysis, increases of pyruvic and lactic acid contents and a decrease of thiamine content of blood were observed even in the non-paralytic stage. In the paralytic stage, the increase of the pyruvic acids was remarkable and associated with decrease of serum potassium and urinary sodium and potassium. Thiamine and cocarboxylase were effective for prevention and treatment of the paralysis. Administration of 100mg of cocarboxylase prior to the paralytic occurrence was dramatically effective. The results suggest that a metabolic disorder of carbohydrate is a cause of the paralysis and the disorder may be related with abnormal metabolisms of thiamine and minerals.
