title: Frequency of epileptiform discharges in the sleep-deprived electroencephalogram in children evaluated for attention-deficit disorders.
abstract: The authors determined the frequency of epileptiform discharges in the electroencephalogram (EEG) of a cohort of children and adolescents referred to a neurology specialty clinic for evaluation of attention-deficit disorders. Of 624 records, 461 (73.9%) were normal and 163 (26.1%) abnormal. Of abnormal EEGs, 70 (42.9%) had focal epileptiform discharges only, 68 (41.7%) had generalized epileptiform discharges only, and 19 (11.6%) had both independent focal and generalized spikes. Focal spikes were localized chiefly in central, frontal, and temporal regions. Of 163 records with abnormalities, 154 (94.5%) were sleep deprived and 159 (97.5%) were sleep records. One-quarter of the nonepileptic children evaluated for attention-deficit disorder have epileptiform discharges in the EEG, and just more than half are focal. Sleep-deprived sleep is essential to exclude epileptiform abnormalities. The utility of the EEG in the management of attention-deficit disorders and selection of stimulant or nonstimulant medication deserves further study.
authors: Children's Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA. jmillichap@childrensmemorial.org
authors: John J
authors: JJ
authors: Millichap
authors: Cynthia V
authors: CV
authors: Stack
authors: J Gordon
authors: JG
authors: Millichap
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058256:Brain Waves / Q000502:physiology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012892:Sleep Deprivation