Silent seizures accounting for ADHD symptoms in 32% of children

What is it about?

Over the last 30 years, the use of stimulants in pediatrics has increased, yet long-term consequences have yet to be fully explored. Past studies have identified isolated epileptiform discharges (IEDs), a brainwave abnormality, in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). An article published in 2011 suggested that EEG technology should be considered prior to prescribing stimulants to children with ADHD in order to screen for epileptiform discharges. The 2011 study found 26% prevalence of IEDs when using sleep-deprived EEGs. This study sought to replicate the 2011 results using conventional EEG and qEEG technologies. Our results showed 32% of patients with ADHD had IEDs, which further supports that an EEG screening should be considered before prescribing stimulant medications.

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Why is it important?

This study suggests that if your child has been tried on two or more medications for ADHD and failed to improve or experienced negative side-effects, there is a 32% chance that they are having silent seizures. This activity cannot be detected by the naked eye and they should have an EEG.