title: Language regression associated with autistic regression and electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities: a prospective study.
abstract: We report a boy, referred at 25 months following a dramatic isolated language regression antedating autistic-like symptomatology. His sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) showed persistent focal epileptiform activity over the left parietal and vertex areas never associated with clinical seizures. He was started on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) with a significant improvement in language, behavior, and in EEG discharges in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Later course was characterized by fluctuations/regressions in language and behavior abilities, in phase with recrudescence of EEG abnormalities prompting additional ACTH courses that led to remarkable decrease in EEG abnormalities, improvement in language, and to a lesser degree, in autistic behavior. The timely documentation of regression episodes suggesting an "atypical" autistic regression, striking therapy-induced improvement, fluctuation of symptomatology over time could be ascribed to recurrent and persisting EEG abnormalities.
authors.affiliation: Stella Maris, Scientific Institute, Department of Developmental Neuroscience Pisa, Italy a.chilosi@inpe.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chilosi
authors.affiliation: Stella Maris, Scientific Institute, Department of Developmental Neuroscience Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brovedani
authors.affiliation: Stella Maris, Scientific Institute, Department of Developmental Neuroscience Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Unité de Neurologie et de Neuroréhabilitation Pédiatrique CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anne-Lise
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.affiliation: Stella Maris, Scientific Institute, Department of Developmental Neuroscience Pisa, Italy Pediatric Neurology Unit and Laboratories, AUO-Meyer, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Renzo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guerrini
authors.affiliation: Unité de Neurologie et de Neuroréhabilitation Pédiatrique CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Deonna
mesh_terms: D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D058256:Brain Waves / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004569:Electroencephalography; D006728:Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
keywords: adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH); autistic; epileptiform activity; language; long-term outcome