Childhood psychosis and 24-h rhythms: A behavioral and psychophysiological analysis

Three investigations were performed to examine behavioral and physiological variation with respect to rhythmicity in psychotic children. Case report I observed periodicity in certain stereo-typed behaviors, and provided data on extinction of self-stimulation and self-injurious behavior for a 72 h period. Case report II monitored psychophysiological reaction in an orienting response paradigm. Results indicated significant changes as a function of time of day. Study I indicated differences in amplitude of the temperature rhythm between normal controls and the psychotic group. The results of these investigations are discussed in terms of their potential for etiological and diagnostic research. Further, specific treatment implications are presented.