Intelligence, Academic Achievement, and EEG Abnormalities in Hyperactive Children

The authors took EEG, neurological, psychological, and behavioral measures on 120 hyperactive children, 22 of whom were found to have EEG abnormalities. However, these children scored significantly higher on intelligence tests and other measures of cognitive performance than hyperactive children with normal EEGs. The authors caution that an abnormal EEG finding in hyperactive children should not be taken, in the absence of other data, to indicate a poor prognosis or the need for special education. The contrary was found to be true for the children in their sample who had the epileptiform-type EEG abnormality.