Luminance and chromatic visual evoked potentials in type I and type II diabetes: relationships with peripheral neuropathy

• Published in: Neurological sciences Vol. 27; no. 5; pp. 323 - 327
• Main Authors: Gregori, B., Galié, E., Pro, S., Clementi, A., Accornero, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy Springer Nature B.V 01.11.2006
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Color; Color Perception - physiology; Contrast Sensitivity - physiology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - physiopathology; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - physiopathology; Diabetic Neuropathies - physiopathology; Evoked Potentials, Visual - physiology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurology; Neurosciences; Photic Stimulation - methods; Regression Analysis
• ISSN: 1590-1874; 1590-3478
• DOI: 10.1007/s10072-006-0704-x

The objective of the study was to investigate the subclinical visual deficit in type I and II diabetes, and its relationship with peripheral neuropathy. Thirty-two healthy volunteers, 20 patients with type I diabetes and 30 patients with type II diabetes were studied in a clinical neurophysiology setting. Luminance (VEPs) and chromatic visual evoked potentials (CVEPs) were recorded, with white-black, grey-black, red-green and blue-yellow sinusoidal gratings. The peak latencies of the VEP positive wave and CVEP negative wave were recorded. Ten patients with type I and 8 with type II diabetes had peripheral neuropathy. VEPs were slower in patients with type II diabetes and CVEPs were slower in patients with type I and type II diabetes than in controls. Blue-yellow CVEPs were slower in type II than in type I diabetes. VEPs and red-green CVEPs were slower in patients with diabetes with neuropathy than in those without. In conclusion, we found that visual system impairment differs in diabetes with and without peripheral neuropathy.