In 20 patients with epilepsy, electroencephalography (EEG) slowing was
quantitatively characterized during standardized hyperventilation act
ivation (respiratory rate: 30/min, threefold elevation of total expira
tory volume, duration: 4 min) and changes in cerebral blood flow and v
elocity in the right common carotid artery were monitored with the Dop
pler ultrasonic method, Thirteen age-matched normal children served as
controls, The results were as follows: (1) EEG slowing in the epileps
y group was greater compared with controls, (2) There was a significan
t decrease in mean frequency (decrease in alpha power and increase in
delta power) during hyperventilation in the epilepsy group, but no sig
nificant change in the controls, (3) The decrease in cerebral blood no
w (CBF) was greater in the epilepsy group at the beginning of hyperven
tilation, possibly related to the greater EEG slowing. (4) The percent
age of CBF at the end of hyperventilation was similar in the epilepsy
and control groups, The difference in EEG response to hyperventilation
between the 2 groups may be due to differences in the decrease in CBF
volume and the sensitivity of the change in CBF.