[Emotional behaviors as a neurological dysfunction]

The hypothesis of the emotional component of behaviors can be explained by a specific neurological mechanism was stated.

A sample of 749 cases, all between 5 and 14 year old, with different behavioral and cognitive problems was selected from attendance to the Neuropediatric/Neuropsychopedagogic Unit from 1994 to 2000. A sub sample of 20 cases with PASS planning processing scoring less than 1SD was also selected. A design of mainly qualitative research according to case analysis was followed, behavioral data being provided by patients and their parents and analyzed with video recorder assistance. To avoid the study to be biased techniques as triangulation were applied. Quantitative cognitive data were obtained by using DN:CAS battery for diagnosis of PASS processing. A procedure for diagnosis and treatment of behaviors, previously reported, was followed. The cases of the sub sample were tested before and after emotional treatment without cognitive remediation, the results being tested by Student t.

The responders were 82% according to not only the criterion of solution of the behavioral problem, for example, anorexia, psychosomatism, non neurological paroxysm an so on, but also, the sufficient amelioration assessed by the patients, their parents and the researchers. All cases, however, were required the disappearance of observable defensive behaviors in enough quantity to deduce an important maturation change. Significant difference was observed in planning.

Defensive behaviors as masquerade behaviors are explained in the light of neurological reasons. The neurological processing of the sensibility of danger is emphasized according to the most recent knowledge.

All behaviors can activate the neurological processing of danger feeling