No abstract

Children with previously unrecognized seizures are already at increased risk for behavior problems at the time of their first recognized seizure. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that in some children, epilepsy is a pervasive condition that includes both seizures and behavioral problems.

males. Like Rolandic epilepsy, some cases of ADHD seem to be limited by puberty. Another similarity is the cerebral immaturity suggested by electroencephalography.As some children with ADHD, without seizures, degenerative conditions, or focal neurologic signs show abnormalities such as Rolandic spikes in a routine EEGs, the inclusion of EEGs in ADHD diagnostics seem essential to the identification of this subgroup. The EEG is the indicator of the need for specific testing, further evaluation and, perhaps, adequate therapy.Not performing routine EEG could result in the oversight of subclinical epileptic discharges in a considerable number of children with ADHD. We suggest that the update of practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children with ADHD until puberty should include EEG, regardless of the lack of a prior history of overt seizures or other obvious neurological conditions.

Purpose Stroke caregivers often express the need for information about stroke and assistance with stroke-related care in the early discharge period. The Telephone Assessment and Skill-Building Kit (TASK) is an 8-week program that addresses caregiver needs. This study explored the efficacy of the TASK program in improving stroke caregiver outcomes. Method Guided by a conceptual model, 6 outcomes (optimism, task difficulty, threat appraisal, depressive symptoms, life changes, general health perceptions) were measured in 40 caregivers randomized to the TASK (n = 21) or an attention control group (n = 19). Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), controlling for baseline scores and minutes spent with the nurse. Results Significant increases in optimism at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks were found, with medium effect sizes for the TASK group relative to the control group (p < .05). Significant improvements in task difficulty at 4 weeks, and threat appraisal at both 8 weeks and 12 weeks were also found (p < .05). Conclusion Caregivers receiving the TASK intervention improved in optimism, task difficulty, and threat appraisal. Further testing of an enhanced version of the TASK program is warranted, with attention directed toward more distal stroke caregiver outcomes.