Long duration EEG studies in the case of a psychotic child

Three biotelemetric examinations and a whole night sleep recording were carried out in an 8-year-old child whose behaviour alternated between excitation and autism with stereotypes. The EEG showed 5 c/sec temporo-parietal sharp wave discharges lasting from 1 sec to 20 min. These discharges were at times unilateral and predominantly right sided, at other times bilateral, without any clinical sign of epilepsy. The chronological distribution of right, left and bilateral discharges during the successive 1 min epochs was computed and related to corresponding 'behavioural states' of the child. The paroxysmal discharges predominated when the child was awake but not involved in any relational activity; during sleep, they mostly appeared during light NREM sleep (stage I) and paradoxical sleep. The significance of these paroxysmal discharges is discussed in relation to stereotyped behaviour, vigilance and early disorganization of biological rhythms.