Electroencephalographic changes in chronic renal failure

Abstract

The most frequently observed changes during hemodialysis were poor regulation and slowing of the cortical background activity and, especially, bursts of paroxysmal, bilaterally synchronous, slow waves, with or without associated further evidence of impairment of upper brainstem function. In addition to the diffuse cortical dysfunction the most prevalent disturbance of cerebral function in uremia seems to involve upper brainstem mechanisms of reticular origin. The neuropathologic studies on uremia by Olsen correlate well with these findings. During hemodiaiysis, electroencephalograms frequently deteriorate. This deterioration is associated with a significant drop in plasma osmolarity that suggests that the impairment of the tracing pattern results from water uptake by the brain and cerebral edema.