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Acquired aphasia with convulsive disorder: a pervasive developmental disorder variant
1Department of Pediatrics, New York Hospital--Cornell Medical Center, New York.
Journal of Child Neurology
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Anticonvulsant medication improved communication and behavior in a child with pervasive developmental disorder and abnormal brain activity. This suggests a potential treatment avenue for similar language and behavioral challenges.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Neurophysiology
Background:
- Pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) often presents with communication and behavioral challenges.
- Electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities, such as spike and polyspike activity, can be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
- Previous research on anticonvulsants for language dysfunction in these cases has yielded disappointing results.
Observation:
- A 5 1/2-year-old boy exhibited symptoms consistent with PDD, including language delay and behavioral problems.
- His EEG revealed frequent generalized spike and polyspike activity.
- The patient received anticonvulsant medication to therapeutic levels.
Findings:
- Following anticonvulsant treatment, significant improvements were observed in the child's communication skills and behavior.
- The EEG also showed normalization of the generalized spike and polyspike activity.
- This case demonstrates a positive response to anticonvulsant therapy, contrasting with prior literature.
Implications:
- Anticonvulsant medication may be a viable therapeutic option for language and behavioral impairments associated with specific EEG abnormalities.
- Further investigation into the efficacy of anticonvulsants in neurodevelopmental disorders with electrophysiological correlates is warranted.
- This case highlights the importance of considering pharmacological interventions even when previous outcomes have been unfavorable.