Vaernes R J, Eidsvik S
Aviat Space Environ Med. 1982 Aug;53(8):803-7.
The possible differences in specific central nervous system functions in 2 groups of divers were studied: Divers with a history of diving accidents (accident group, N = 9) and accident-free divers (non-accident group, N = 15). Both groups were characterized with a mean I.Q. level (WAIS) within the normal range. Of the nine accident group divers, 8 showed abnormalities on neuropsychological tests implicating lesions on higher CNS levels. In addition, five of the accident group divers had a syndrome of subcortical/limbic dysfunctions--specific memory deficits, low autonomic reactivity, sustained attention problems, and emotional lability. The data confirmed previous findings that a severe diving accident may lead to cerebral dysfunctions. However, in contrast to the previous studies, our study indicated that divers with average intellectual levels can develop specific CNS dysfunctions after a near miss diving accident. Therefore, we conclude that a combined effect of emboli with multifocal lesions and/or a more specific effect on limbic structures represent the pathophysiology of a severe near-miss diving accident.
有潜水事故史的潜水员（事故组，N = 9）和无事故潜水员（非事故组，N = 15）。两组的平均智商水平（韦氏成人智力量表）均在正常范围内。在事故组的9名潜水员中，8名在神经心理学测试中表现出异常，提示中枢神经系统较高水平存在病变。此外，事故组的5名潜水员有皮质下/边缘系统功能障碍综合征——特定的记忆缺陷、低自主反应性、持续注意力问题和情绪不稳定。数据证实了先前的研究结果，即严重的潜水事故可能导致脑功能障碍。然而，与先前的研究不同，我们的研究表明，智力水平一般的潜水员在险些发生的潜水事故后也可能出现特定的中枢神经系统功能障碍。因此，我们得出结论，栓子与多灶性病变的联合作用和/或对边缘结构的更特定作用代表了严重的险些发生的潜水事故的病理生理学。
