EEG and haemodialysis. A structural survey of EEG spectral analysis, Hjorth's EEG descriptors, blood variables and psychological data

Computerized EEG was performed in 20 patients with renal failure before and after haemodialysis (HD), applying spectral analysis and Hjorth's EEG descriptors in EEG quantification, correlation and factor analysis as statistical procedures to analyse the connections of EEG, blood variables and psychological performance. The main results were: (1) Moderate uraemic encephalopathy -- according to Kiley's (1971) standards -- was present in most of our patients, before and after HD. (2) Before HD, EEG slowing was most strongly connected with the creatinine level and EEG acceleration with hyperkalaemia, which in most cases accompanied a high urea level. (3) Significant EEG changes after HD were: decrease of percentage delta activity, increase of Hjorth's 'mobility', decrease of Hjorth's 'complexity'. (4) The theta/alpha ratio (Matousek 1968) was significantly correlated with the patient's general clinical state after HD. (5) Visual discrimination, memory and maximal tapping speed improved significantly after HD. Only Hjorth's EEG parameters were correlated with test performance in that patients with low voltage and fast EEGs did worse in visual discrimination.