Behavioural arousal and fear may be induced by electrical stimulation of the cingulate and the temporo-occipital cortex and the amygdala in the cat. The influence of these regions on the plasma level of 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OHCS) has been studied. To eliminate the possibility that any increase observed was not secondary to arousal or fear caused by environmental factors or the blood sampling, the experiments were carried out under anaesthesia. Increase of the plasma level of the 17-OHCS was produced by stimulation of twenty-five points in the following three regions: (a) the anterior cingulate cortex; (b) the lower portion of the posterior ecto-and suprasylvian gyri of the temporo-occipital cortex, and (c) the amygdala. The increase amounted up to 560% of the control values. The response was obtained during light anaesthesia only. Stimulation of thirty-seven points in other cortical regions and in the internal capsule caused no significant change in the plasma steroid level.

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Blood and serum concentrations of selenium have been determined in a group of psychiatric patients and in 35 healthy controls. The psychiatric group consisted of 14 schizophrenics, seven paranoid disorders, six affective psychosis (manic-depressive), four reactive psychosis, 11 dementia senilis, 17 with a diagnosis of neurosis and two with delirium tremens. Normal values were found in all groups except for delirium tremens where decreased blood and serum values were found.

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