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Electroencephalography and Visually Evoked Potentials During Moderate Hypoglycemia

I Cattedra di Endocrinologia, University "La Sapienza," Rome, Italy

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Prof. Guido Tamburrano, II Clinica Medica, University "La Sapienza," 1-00161 Rome, Italy.

The effects of hypoglycemia per se on the electroencephalogram (EEG) and visually evoked potentials (VEPs) were studied in eight normal young adults. The EEG and VEPs were recorded before and during hypoglycemic clamp studies, carried out at plasma insulin and glucose concentrations of about 287 pmol/L and 2.38 mmol/L, respectively. From the mean power EEG spectra obtained during each testing condition, several parameters in each frequency band considered were compared statistically. During the eyes closed recording, the mean frequency of the -band (8–13 Hz) decreased from 10.1 ± 0.2 (±SE) HZ in both the right and left frontal leads during euglycemia to 8.8 ± 0.2 and 8.8 ± 0.1 Hz (left and right frontal leads, respectively; P < 0.05) during hypoglycemia. In the same leads, the peak frequency decreased from 10.6 ± 0.4 and 10.3 ± 0.4 Hz to 9.6 ± 0.4 and 9.5 ± 0.3 Hz, respectively (P < 0.05). A similar pattern of variation was found during the eyes open recording. In contrast, mean VEP latencies did not vary significantly; they were 118 ± 3 ms (smallest image size; square wave signals subtending 30 min of arc) and 116 ± 3 ms (largest image size; square wave signals subtending 60 min of arc) during euglycemia to 121 ± 3 and 119 ± 3 ms, respectively, during hypoglycemia. This study demonstrates that the earliest hypoglycemia- induced EEG alterations occur in the frontal regions and can be quantified in terms of decreased mean and peak frequencies of the -band. VEP latency is less sensitive. If confirmed in diabetic patients, these data may provide a theoretical basis for developing a portable device to detect early hypoglycemia in those patients who lack warning symptoms.

Received July 30, 1987.

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