SYNOPSISThe isolated human basilar artery suspended in Krebs' solution contracts to 5-hydroxytryptamine, noradrenaline, and histamine, which stimulate specific receptors. Normal human serum contains an unidentified contractile substance, and erythrocytes relax the artery. Serum and erythrocytes potentiate 5-HT contractions. This preparation is suitable for studying vasoactive substances released during vasospasm after subarachnoid haemorrhage.

SYNOPSIS Amygdaloidotomy was performed bilaterally on 15 and unilaterally on three patients exhibiting severe aggressive or self-mutilating behaviour. Nine subjects (500 %) were improved a year after operation; improvement was maintained in seven (39%/a) for periods ranging from 27 months to nearly six years. Four non-epileptic cases had convulsions during the period of review; one of them has a persistent mild hemiparesis dating from the postoperative period. There was a tendency for epileptics to respond better than non-epileptics and for mentally retarded patients to respond poorly, but none of the differences was statistically significant.Studies involving stimulation and ablation of the amygdala in animals have demonstrated clearly that these structures, particularly their basolateral divisions, play an important part in the determination of aggressive behaviour (Kaada, 1965

No abstract

The development of an intracerebral pneumatocele following ventricular catheterization for benign intracranial hypertension is described. The importance of skull radiography in the diagnosis of this previously unreported complication ist emphasized. This case demonstrates that air can accumulate without the need to implicate increased pharyngeal pressure, and despite raised intracranial pressure.

No abstract