The electrophysiological analysis of disturbances in the trophic action of the nervous system during the development of a malignant tumor

Summary

The bioelectrical activity of the cerebral cortex, hypothalamus, cerebellum and the superior cervical sympathetic ganglia was simultaneously recorded in rabbits against the background of a gradual development of a transplanted Brown-Pearce tumor.

The data obtained demonstrated that the intensity of tumor development depended on the functional condition of the autonomic nervous system, primarily of the sympathetic division.

The more rapid the development of inhibition reflex in the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system and hypothalamus (following reflex excitation under the effect of impulses passing from the site of tumor development to the central nervous system) — the more accelerated the tumor growth with spread of metastases, this finally resulting in the animals' death. Conversely, the more stable (from high lability of the cells) the ganglia of the sympathetic nervous system to the action of reflex impulses from the periphery — the slower the development of the tumor. By raising the functional condition of the sympathetic nervous system with the aid of a number of substances stimulating oxidation-reduction processes, it became possible to maintain the excitation in the central nervous system for a prolonged period of time. In these conditions resolution of the transplanted Brown-Pearce tumor took place.