Changes in the electro-encephalogram in minimal cerebral dysfunction

Electro-encephalograms (EEGs) of 35 children at a centre for remedial education and 35 age- and sex-matched normal controls at a private school were recorded on two occasions, with an 8-month interval, during which the minimal cerebral dysfunction (MCD) group received specialised remedial instruction, and the control group normal classroom schooling. The EEGs of each group were compared both before and after the 8-month period. The results of previous investigations showing that children with MCD have a significantly higher incidence of EEG abnormalities of a slow wave type, were confirmed. Further, the MCD group differed from the control group on a number of measures related to alpha activity, and showed a significantly greater subcortical excitability. Right posterior EEG dysfunctions were implicated in a significantly higher proportion of the MCD group, and appeared to be related specifically to reading disability. Differences between control and experimental groups were reduced after the 8month period between EEGs, suggesting that a process of normalisation was operative in the MCD children.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 606 (1974)