Hypoglycemia-associated changes in the electroencephalogram in patients with type 1 diabetes and normal hypoglycemia awareness or unawareness

Hypoglycemia is associated with increased activity in the low-frequency bands in the electroencephalogram (EEG). We investigated whether hypoglycemia awareness and unawareness are associated with different hypoglycemia-associated EEG changes in patients with type 1 diabetes. Twenty-four patients participated in the study: 10 with normal hypoglycemia awareness and 14 with hypoglycemia unawareness. The patients were studied at normoglycemia (5–6 mmol/L) and hypoglycemia (2.0–2.5 mmol/L), and during recovery (5–6 mmol/L) by hyperinsulinemic glucose clamp. During each 1-h period, EEG, cognitive function, and hypoglycemia symptom scores were recorded, and the counterregulatory hormonal response was measured. Quantitative EEG analysis showed that the absolute amplitude of the θ band and α-θ band up to doubled during hypoglycemia with no difference between the two groups. In the recovery period, the θ amplitude remained increased. Cognitive function declined equally during hypoglycemia in both groups and during recovery reaction time was still prolonged in a subset of tests. The aware group reported higher hypoglycemia symptom scores and had higher epinephrine and cortisol responses compared with the unaware group. In patients with type 1 diabetes, EEG changes and cognitive performance during hypoglycemia are not affected by awareness status during a single insulin-induced episode with hypoglycemia.