[Evaluation of different treatment in minimal brain damage]

In 78 children (5-13 years old) with minimal brain dysfunction, a comparative trial was carried out in order to evaluate three different treatment plans: carbamazepine alone, carbamazepine plus psychotherapy and psychotherapy alone. The improvement obtained in children who received carbamazepine (alone or with psychoterapy) was greater than that of patients treated with psychotherapy only. The difference was highly statistically significant (p=0.01). Carbamazepine was well tolerated. This trial has shown that carbamazepine is a useful aid in the treatment of behavioral and learning disorders occurring in children with minimal brain dysfunction.