The proteins of the brain in patients with lowered convulsion threshold

Protein Metabolism of the Brain

“…Electrophoretic studies of the proteins present in oedematous areas of the brain have shown a relative increase in the fast-moving albumin and a-globulin fractions: this has been found, for example, in the oedematous areas adjacent to cerebral tumours and other lesions of the brain. It is known that the proportion of fast-moving proteins is higher in the immature infant brain than in the adult, and it has been reported that they are also present in abnormal amounts in patients suffering from certain forms of epilepsy (Kiyota, 1957). It has been suggested by Kiyota (1957) that these fast-moving proteins are highly hydrophilic and so may account for the higher water content and the greater tendency to cerebral oedema, and hence to convulsions in infants and in epileptics.…”

“…It is known that the proportion of fast-moving proteins is higher in the immature infant brain than in the adult, and it has been reported that they are also present in abnormal amounts in patients suffering from certain forms of epilepsy (Kiyota, 1957). It has been suggested by Kiyota (1957) that these fast-moving proteins are highly hydrophilic and so may account for the higher water content and the greater tendency to cerebral oedema, and hence to convulsions in infants and in epileptics. The proteins of the infant brain contain a higher arginine/histidine ratio than those of the adult, and in this connexion it may be relevant that an abnormally high arginine/ histidine ratio has been found in the proteins of the brain of a patient suffering from late amaurotic familial idiocy (Block, 1937).…”