Qualitative and quantitative EEG in psychotic children.
The EEGs of hospitalized psychotic boys were analyzed quantitatively by means of visual evaluation, analog frequency analysis, and digital computer period analysis and were compared with those of age- and sex-matched normals. Visual evaluation of the records demonstrated that psychotic children have significantly more beta activity as well as fewer alpha bursts than  normal controls. EEG analog frequency analysis showed that psychotic children have a greater percentage of total voltage in the 3-5 cps and 13-33 cps bands, while they show less voltage in the 6-12 cps bands as compared with normal controls. Digital computer period analysis demonstrated more slow, less alpha, and more fast activity, as well as a greater average frequency and frequency deviation in both the primary wave and first derivative measurements in psychotic children than normals, while normals showed a trend towards higher amplitude and amplitude variability. The similarity of the EEG differences between psychotic and normal children to those differences observed between adult chronic schizophrenics and normals, as well as to those between children of "high risk" for becoming schizophrenic and controls, suggests that the above described findings are characteristic for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000513:Alpha Rhythm; D001611:Beta Rhythm; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003201:Computers; D003202:Computers, Analog; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013826:Theta Rhythm