The contribution of neurophysiologic techniques to the investigation of diving-related illness

Abstract

This review considers the important role of experimental and clinical neurophysiologic techniques in the investigation of diving-related illness. The invasive monitoring of neural function using evoked potentials has been central to the creation of animal models of neurologic decompression illness (DCI). Such models have produced important insights into the nature of DCI and have reduced the empiricism of treatment protocols. However, caution is required in the application of neurophysiologic data from animal models of the disease to human DCI. Conflicting evidence exists for the usefulness of electroencephalographic and evoked potential studies in the investigation of acute neurologic DCI in man. Some neurophysiologic evidence has been produced to support the contention that diving may cause subclinical injury to the central nervous system.