An exploratory study of some behavioural consequences of insulin induced hypoglycaemia

The performance of 13 hospitalised patients, either obese or with suspected pituitary disorder, was compared on a selection of tasks involving motor conordination, visual organisation, immediate memory, and reasoning, both before and after intravenous insulin significantly lowered their blood sugar levels. Only motor co-ordination and immediate recall were significantly affected by lowering the blood sugar level, although the speed at which logical problems were solved, was reduced. Results were compared with those of other factors known to result in a wide variety of performance decrements.