Insulin-induced hypoglycemia and the electroencephalogram in goats.

The effect of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on the cortical electroencephalogram was examined in adult goats and kids. Adult goats were injected subcutaneously with 8 or 12 units/kg of insulin or intravenously with 1.2 to 10 units/kg. From a certain level between 15 and 25 mg/dl of blood glucose downwards, marked slowing of electroencephalogram was evident. When the blood glucose level was below 15 mg/dl, abnormal behaviors severer than lassitude appeared. They included inability of standing, twitching of face muscles, writhing, stupor and severe twitching of the head. No tetanic convulsions were observed in the present 8-hour experiments. When kids were injected subcutaneously with 8 units/kg of insulin, they showed the same relations among blood glucose level, electroencephalogram and behavior as the adult goats. They manifested abnormal behaviors, including tetanic convulsions.