Assessment of EEG Changes During Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetic Subjects

Hypoglycemic events have been proven to be associated with measurable EEG changes, suggesting the possible use of the brain as a biosensor to detect hypoglycemia in real-time. In this work, we assess the ability of a number of indicators to capture EEG changes in 19 type 1 diabetic subjects undertaken to an insulin-induced hypoglycemia experiment. In particular, EEG segments observed in eu- and hypo-glycemia were assessed in the frequency, time-frequency and time domains, respectively by linear spectral analysis, power modulation calculation and nonlinear complexity indices. Results show that, in all the considered domains, some EEG indicators significantly change when passing from eu- to hypoglycemia and suggest their possible use in portable device prototypes presently under research with the aim of detecting hypo-events in real-time from EEG signals measured by subcutaneous electrodes.