Electroencephalogram Discharges in Atypical Cognitive Development

In order to investigate the significance of electroencephalogram discharges and their treatment we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 22 children with atypical cognitive development that did not respond to standard educational therapy and demonstrated discharges on electroencephalogram. Most children demonstrated no obvious symptoms of seizures and developmental regression and/or fluctuations were uncommon. The majority of children demonstrated a language and attention disorder and autism symptomatology and had multifocal discharges on electroencephalograms. Of the 20 patients treated with antiepileptic medications, 70% demonstrated definite improvement within one clinic visit. This study suggests that children with electroencephalogram discharges and developmental cognitive disorders demonstrate a unique pattern of symptomatology and discharges on electroencephalography. This study suggests that children with developmental cognitive disorders that do not respond to standard therapy may benefit from screening with an electroencephalogram and a trial of antiepileptic mediation if discharges are detected.