J Korean Neurol Assoc.  1997 Aug;15(4):803-815.

Cognitive Function in Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetic Patients : P300 Event-related Potentials and Neuropsychological Tests

• Yoo BG
• Yoon SJ
• Kim KS
• Yoo KM
• Choi YS
• Park YH

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Several recent studies have demonstrated that cognitive function is impaired in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients compared with age-matched non-diabetic controls. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of this diabetic central nervous involvement remains obscure. The present study was designed to explore further whether cognitive deficits are present in NIIDDM patients who do not show apparent symptoms and signs of central nervous system damage and to evaluate the influence of clinical parameters and diabetic complications on cognitive function.
METHODS
Thirty patients over 50 years of age with NIDDM and 30 age-, sex- and education-matched normal controls were recruited for the study. P300 event-related potential test and neuropsychological tests (Mini-Mental State Examination, MMSE; Benton Visual Retention test; Digit Span Forward and Backward) were perfomed. P300 latencies were recorded according to the conventional technique using Counterpointer MK2.
RESULTS
Compared with controls, NIDDM patients showed significant impairment in MMSE (P<0.05), Benton Visual Retention (P<0.05), and Digit Span Backward (PCONCLUSIONS
This study suggest that 1) cognitive function is decreased in NIDDM patients who do not show apparent symptoms and signs of central nervous system damage, 2) P300 latency may reveal cognitive changes not detected by nouropsychological tests, and 3) P300 event-related potentials, MMSE, Benton Visual Retention and Digit Span Backward tests may be included in a battery of cognitive function tests in NIDDM patients.

MeSH Terms

Blood Glucose
Central Nervous System
Diabetes Complications
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
Event-Related Potentials, P300*
Fasting
Humans
Neuropsychological Tests*
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
Reference Values
Triglycerides
Blood Glucose