Color visual evoked potentials in children with type 1 diabetes: relationship to metabolic control

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005 Nov;46(11):4107-13. doi: 10.1167/iovs.05-0178.

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the association between metabolic control (HbA(1c)) and the chromatic mechanisms of children with type 1 diabetes (T1D), by using the color visual evoked potential (VEP).

Methods: Fifty children with T1D (age range, 6-12.9 years) and 33 age-matched control subjects were tested. VEPs were recorded by placing five electrodes on the scalp according to the International 10/20 System of Electrode Placement. Active electrodes O1, O2, and Oz were placed over the visual cortex. Short-wavelength (S), and long- and medium-wavelength (LM) color stimuli consisted of vertical, photometric isoluminant (1 cyc/deg) gratings presented in a pattern onset (100 ms)-offset (400 ms) mode. Achromatic vertical gratings were presented at 3 cyc/deg. Primary outcome measure was VEP latency. The relationship between S, LM, and achromatic VEP latency, and HbA(1c) was determined by ANCOVA regression.

Results: S-, LM-, achromatic VEP latencies were not associated significantly with HbA(1c). Pubertal status, however, was associated significantly (P = 0.0114) and selectively with S-VEP latency. Pubertal children with T1D had delayed (mean delay, 9.5 ms) S-VEP latencies when compared with the prepubertal children with T1D. However, there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.1573) in the effect of pubertal status on S-VEP latency between the T1D and control groups.

Conclusions: Pubertal status rather than HbA(1c) appears to affect selectively the S-VEP latency of preteen children with T1D. Further study is warranted to determine whether the delay in S-VEP latency in pubertal children with T1D changes over time and whether this change could be a predictive marker for future development of background diabetic retinopathy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Child
  • Color Perception / physiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / metabolism*
  • Evoked Potentials, Visual / physiology*
  • Female
  • Glycated Hemoglobin / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Puberty / physiology

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Glycated Hemoglobin A