Nogle Undersøgelser over Nyrefunktionen ved Epilepsi

This is a doctorate thesis based on extensive personal investigations of every phase of renal function in epileptic subjects observed in the university psychiatric clinic of Copenhagen and the epileptic colony "Filadelfia." Among the conclusions are that there is no definite relationship between diuresis and the epileptic attack. The author has been unable to confirm the hypothesis of preparoxysmal oliguria and postparoxysmal polyuria. The urea clearance rises above the normal upper limit for some hours before an attack and falls suddenly after the attack. It is suggested that the preparoxysmal rise may be caused by central irritation brought about by a moderate increase in epinephrine, while determinations of the chlorine in the plasma and urine did not lead to its explanation. Finally, it is concluded that functional alterations in the vegetative centers in the midbrain play a part in the precipitation of epileptic attacks.