title: Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease: analysis of EEG and evoked potentials under basal conditions and neuroactive drugs.
abstract: EEG and evoked potential (EP) recordings of a female (aged 70) affected with Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease (JCD) are reported. A comparison of neurophysiological tests under basal conditions and pharmacological stimulation with methylphenidate, diazepam and piracetam was performed. Diazepam and methylphenidate produced a flattening of triphasic complexes and changes in background activity; piracetam did not seem to influence the abnormal brain bioelectrical environment. The authors conclude that EEG and EP abnormalities in JCD can be ascribed to two separate and interacting sources: (1) exaggerated massive excitatory input coming from a deep thalamic pace-maker throughout the diffuse projecting system, and (2) lack of inhibitory intracortical mechanisms.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D007562:Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010889:Piracetam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010919:Placebos; D011760:Pyrrolidinones
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D011760:Pyrrolidinones; D008774:Methylphenidate; D003975:Diazepam; D010889:Piracetam