Electroencephalographic arousal pattern in severe alcohol poisoning

Parameters dynamics of brain bioelectric activity of 50 patients in alcoholic coma are considered. Patients underwent continuous EEG monitoring from the end of the basic resuscitation to the apparent recovery of consciousness (awakening). The average registration time was 4.5 hours. EEG was recorded in standard derivations using the 10–20 system. The amplitude-frequency indices of spontaneous activity and reactivity are analyzed. Electroencephalographic correlates of cerebral insufficiency in comatose states are distinguished by pronounced polymorphism and high individual variability. Considering these features, “dynamic” parameters should be used as prognostic criteria: spontaneity and variability of the pattern, reactivity during stimulation. The increase in the frequency of bioelectric activity, desynchronization with external stimuli may indicate the beginning of the process of recovery of consciousness. Electrophysiological criteria for awakening, developed in this work on the example of alcoholic coma, can be mostly applicable to unconscious states caused by other etiological factors: trauma, hypoxia, vascular failure.

Effect of Speakers' Sex and Size of Audience on Heart-Rate Changes during Short Impromptu Speeches

This study was carried out to determine whether over-all heart rate and heart-rate arousal pattern ate similar for 10 male and 10 female speakers and in speaking situations with both a large as well as a small audience. Equal numbers of male and female subjects were exposed to normal-sized audiences of 21 and very small audiences of 3 during a short impromptu speech, and their heart rates monitored continuously before, during, and after speaking. With limited exception, patterns of heart-rate increment corresponded with those established in previous studies, although females conformed less closely to established patterns. Females experienced greater increment, on the average, than males, and their patterns of arousal differed in certain minor details. Before a small audience slightly greater increments were elicited than before a normal audience, and there were some indications that males and females responded differently to the two speaking situations.