Minimal cerebral dysfunction in adults

Awareness of minimal cerebral dysfunction (MCD) in children has increased in recent years and suitable management programmes have been developed. However, there has been less recognition that appropriate assessment and treatment might be provided for adults showing characteristic signs of MCD. A preliminary study was therefore carried out to ascertain the nature of the neurological deficits in adults presenting for assessment and to determine their responsiveness to treatment. A comparison of information relating to background features and neurological assessment with data collected from a reported study of MCD children revealed marked similarities between the two groups and demonstrated that major deficits in MCD children can continue to adulthood, creating functional difficulties in such important areas as reading, writing, spelling, memory and co-ordination.