The clinical picture of disorders of interest as observed in students is described. This clinical picture is explained in the language of Neurophysiology — especially in the light of recent findings in connection with the ascending reticular activating system; it is also explained in the language of psychoanalytic ego psychology. An attempt is made to show that some of the activities of the R.A.S. are the same activities as are described in such psychoanalytic terms as “cathexis with libido” etc. It is suggested that Freud's ego-cum-amoeba may be located in the reticular column and may be identical with the R.A.S. and Penfield's centrencephalic system.
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