Effects of Dual Task Training and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Pilot Randomized Control Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the effectiveness of active and sham transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during the training of a dual task in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: Thirty children with CP were submitted to ten sessions of either active (n = 15) or sham (n = 15) tDCS over the motor cortex for 20 minutes during the training of a dual task. Pre-intervention, post-intervention and follow-up evaluations involved measures of functional performance, intellectual performance, functional mobility and cortical excitability. RESULTS: The combination of active tDCS and dual task training led to improvements in functional mobility as well as functional and intellectual performances one month after the end of the intervention. CONCLUSION: The combination of active tDCS and dual task training demonstrated promising effects for children with spastic CP.

Group cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents with ADHD.

The present study analyzed the use of group CBT protocol to treat ADHD by comparing two types of treatment, unimodal (medication only) and multimodal (medication combined with CBT), in terms of their effects on cognitive and behavioral domains, social skills, and type of treatment effect by ADHD subtype. Participants were 60 children with ADHD, subtypes inattentive and combined, aged 7 to 14, 48 boys. Combined treatment included 20 CBT sessions while all children were given Ritalin LA® 20 mg. Cognitive and behavioral outcome measures showed no differences between treatment groups. On social skills, multimodal showed more improvement in frequency indicators on empathy, assertiveness, and self-control subscales and in the difficulty on assertiveness and self-control subscales. Using a group CBT protocol for multimodal ADHD treatment may improve patient adherence and ADHD peripheral symptoms.

Group cognitive behavioral therapy for children and adolescents with ADHD

The present study analyzed the use of group CBT protocol to treat ADHD by comparing two types of treatment, unimodal (medication only) and multimodal (medication combined with CBT), in terms of their effects on cognitive and behavioral domains, social skills, and type of treatment effect by ADHD subtype. Participants were 60 children with ADHD, subtypes inattentive and combined, aged 7 to 14, 48 boys. Combined treatment included 20 CBT sessions while all children were given Ritalin LA® 20 mg. Cognitive and behavioral outcome measures showed no differences between treatment groups. On social skills, multimodal showed more improvement in frequency indicators on empathy, assertiveness, and self-control subscales and in the difficulty on assertiveness and self-control subscales. Using a group CBT protocol for multimodal ADHD treatment may improve patient adherence and ADHD peripheral symptoms. (AU)

Neuropsychological Profiles Correlated with Clinical and Behavioral Impairments in a Sample of Brazilian Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that implies several-step process, and there is no single test to diagnose both ADHD and associated comorbidities, such as oppositional-defiant disorder (ODD), anxiety disorder, depression, and certain types of learning disabilities. The purpose of the present study was to examine correlations between behavioral and clinical symptoms by administering an extensive neuropsychological battery to a sample of children and adolescents from a developing country. The sample was divided into three groups: non-ADHD, ADHD-non-comorbid, and ADHD + comorbidity. A full neuropsychological battery and clinical assessment found that 105 children met DSM-5 criteria, of whom 46.6% had the predominantly inattentive presentation, 37.3% had combined presentation, and 16% were predominantly hyperactive/impulsive presentation. The internal correlation between neuropsychological tests did not reach statistical significance in the comparison between ADHD and non-ADHD cases (p < 0.17). Clinical ADHD cases, including both + comorbidity and non-comorbid groups, performed substantially worse on continuous performance test (CPT), working memory. Comparing ADHD-non-comorbid and ADHD + comorbidity groups, the latter did significantly worse on inhibitory control, time processing, and the level of perseveration response on CPT indexes, as well as on working memory performance and child behavior checklist (CBCL) tests particularly the CBCL-deficient emotional self-regulation test in the ADHD + comorbidity group. Children diagnosed as ODD or with conduct disorder showed close correlations between clinical CBCL profiles and externalized symptoms. Our findings suggest that ADHD + comorbidity and ADHD non-comorbid cases may be differentiated by a number of neuropsychological measures, such as processing speed, inhibitory control, and working memory, that may reflect different levels of involvement of the hot and cool executive domains, which are more impaired in cases of severe symptomatic-externalized behavior and emotional regulation problems. Therefore, profiles based on clinical and behavioral findings can help clinicians select better strategies for detecting neuropsychological impairment in Brazilian children with ADHD.

Use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Token Economy to Alleviate Dysfunctional Behavior in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Medication has proved highly efficacious as a means of alleviating general symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, many patients remain functionally impaired by inappropriate behavior. The present study analyzed the use of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with the Token-Economy (TE) technique to alleviate problem behavior for 25 participants with ADHD, all children (19 boys, mean age 10.11) on long-term methylphenidate medication, who were given 20 CBT sessions with 10 weeks of TE introduced as of session 5. Their ten most acute problem behaviors were selected and written records kept. On weekdays, parents recorded each inappropriate behavior and provided a suitable model for their actions. At weekly sessions, problem behaviors were counted and incident-free participants rewarded with a token. To analyze improvement (less frequent problem behavior), a list of 11 behavioral categories was rated: inattention, impulsivity, hyperactivity, disorganization, disobeying rules and routines, poor self-care, verbal/physical aggression, low frustration tolerance, compulsive behavior, antisocial behavior, lacking in initiative and distraction. Two CBT specialists categorized behaviors and an ADHD specialist ruled on discrepancies. Statistical analyses used were Generalized Estimating Equations with Poisson distribution and autoregressive order correlation structure. In the course of the sessions, problematic behaviors decreased significantly in seven categories: impulsiveness, hyperactivity, disorganization, disobeying rules and routine, poor self-care, low frustration tolerance, compulsive behaviors, and antisocial behaviors. Caregiver attitudes to children's inappropriate behavior were discussed and reshaped. As functional improvement was observed on applying TE for 10 weeks, this type of intervention may be useful as an auxiliary strategy combined with medication.

Clinical and neuropsychological profile in a sample of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and neuropsychological findings in children with suspicion of attention deficity hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The assessment involved 150 children aged 7 to 14 referred to NANI at UNIFESP. RESULTS: 75 children (55 M and 20 F) fulfilled the criteria for ADHD, among which 35 were of the inattentive type, 28 of combined type and 12 were hyperactive/impulsive. There was negative correlation between the digit score and the Corsi test. Children with hyperactivity and impulsivity had a low performance for functional memory. Children with oppositional defiant disorder presented pattern changes in adaptability when there was a change in the rhythm the stimuli were presented and lower adaptation to time variability (Hit RT), in addition to higher rates of omission in the continuous performance test. CONCLUSION: This study suggests multiple interrelations between the scores of neuropsychological battery useful for detailed delimitation of the clinical profile of children with ADHD.

Clinical and neuropsychological profile in a sample of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders / Perfil clínico e neuropsicológico de crianças com transtorno do deficit de atenção e hiperatividade

The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and neuropsychological findings in children with suspicion of attention deficity hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The assessment involved 150 children aged 7 to 14 referred to NANI at UNIFESP. RESULTS: 75 children (55 M and 20 F) fulfilled the criteria for ADHD, among which 35 were of the inattentive type, 28 of combined type and 12 were hyperactive/impulsive. There was negative correlation between the digit score and the Corsi test. Children with hyperactivity and impulsivity had a low performance for functional memory. Children with oppositional defiant disorder presented pattern changes in adaptability when there was a change in the rhythm the stimuli were presented and lower adaptation to time variability (Hit RT), in addition to higher rates of omission in the continuous performance test. CONCLUSION: This study suggests multiple interrelations between the scores of neuropsychological battery useful for detailed delimitation of the clinical profile of children with ADHD.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi delimitar indicadores clínicos e neuropsicológicos em crianças com suspeita de transtorno do déficit de atenção e hiperatividade (TDA/H). Foram avaliadas 150 crianças (idade de 7 a 14 anos) encaminhados ao NANI da UNIFESP. RESULTADOS: 75 crianças (55 M e 20 F) preenchiam os critérios para o TDA/H, dentre os quais 35 (46,6 por cento) pacientes eram desatentos, 28 do tipo combinado e 12 do tipo hiperatividade/impulsivo. Observou-se correlação negativa com o escore de dígitos e no escore do teste de Corsi. Crianças com hiperatividade e impulsividade apresentaram baixo desempenho nas funções relacionadas à memória operacional. Crianças com transtorno opositor desafiante apresentaram alterações nos padrões de adaptação às mudanças do ritmo com menor adaptação às variações do tempo de exposição aos estímulos (Hit RT), além de maiores taxas de omissão no teste contínuo de performance. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo sugere múltiplas interrelacões entre os escores em provas neuropsicológicas que são úteis para uma delimitação do perfil clínico de crianças com TDAH.

Is hospitalization really necessary during the introduction of the ketogenic diet?

The ketogenic diet is traditionally introduced with an initial period of fasting. This study compares the efficacy and tolerability of the introduction of a prediet (2:1 ratio of fat:protein + carbohydrates) before hospitalization with the aim at reducing the time of same and the period of fasting necessary to reach ketosis. For a minimum period of 1 year, adverse effects, metabolic profile, and linear growth were prospectively evaluated in 46 children. Twenty-three children received a prediet for a period of 10 days, and in the other 23 children, the ketogenic diet was introduced by hospitalization regimen after a fasting period. The use of the prediet led to a shorter fasting period of a mean 18.3 hours compared with the group without prediet, in which the fasting period was 41.3 hours (P = .001). At the end, there was no difference in the adverse effects between the groups. In those submitted to the prediet, a better adaptation to the diet and acceptance to the proposal of introducing the ketogenic diet were observed.

Avaliação do perfil metabólico, nutricional e efeitos adversos de crianças com epilepsia refratária em uso da dieta cetogênica / Assessment of serum biochemistry, nutritional status and adverse effects of children with refractory epilepsy using the ketogenic diet

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os efeitos adversos, o perfil metabólico e o crescimento pôndero-estatural de crianças com crises epilépticas de difícil controle, as quais foram submetidas a dieta cetogênica. MÉTODOS: Selecionaram-se 23 pacientes na faixa etária de 2 até 17 anos com epilepsia de difícil controle medicamentoso, sendo 43,5 por cento (n=10) do sexo masculino e 56,5 por cento (n=13) do sexo feminino, provenientes do Setor de Neuropediatria da Disciplina de Neurologia da Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Foram submetidos a dieta cetogênica e acompanhados por um período mínimo de um ano. Dois pacientes não conseguiram manter a cetose por falta de adesão dos pais à dieta. RESULTADOS: Os efeitos adversos encontrados foram reversíveis, incluindo hiperlipidemia, obstipação (17,4 por cento), náuseas e vômitos (43,4 por cento), sonolência (47,8 por cento), infecções intercorrentes (3,0 por cento), recusa da dieta (13,0 por cento) e epistaxe (4,3 por cento). O crescimento pôndero-estatural não foi afetado, tendo o peso e a estatura seguido o percentil adequado. CONCLUSÃO: A dieta cetogênica pode constituir-se em uma alternativa segura e efetiva para o tratamento de crianças com epilepsia refratária.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to evaluate adverse events, serum biochemistry, growth and nutritional status of children with difficult-to-control seizures who were submitted to ketogenic diet. METHODS: Twenty-three patients aging from 2 to 17 years with refractory epilepsies, where 43.5 percent (n=10) were males and 56.5 percent (n=13) females from the Sector of Neuropediatrics, Discipline of Neurology of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo, were treated with the ketogenic diet and followed up for at least 1 year. Two patients were not able to achieve persistent ketosis either because they rejected the diets or their parents did not comply. RESULTS: Adverse events were all reversible and included hyperlipidemia, constipation (17.4 percent), nausea and vomiting (43.4 percent), drowsiness (47.8 percent), intercurrent infections (3.0 percent), diet refusal (13.0 percent) and epistaxis (4.3 percent). Growth was not affected in the short term and most heights remained within the normal centile lines. CONCLUSION: The ketogenic diet can be considered a safe and effective treatment for children with intractable seizures.

[Bilateral occipital calcification, epilepsy and coeliac disease: case report]. / Calcificação intracraniana occipital bilateral, epilepsia e doença celíaca: relato de caso.

We report a case of a six-year-old girl with frequent diarrhea episodes associated with ferroprive anemia from 6 months of age, normal neuromotor development and partial seizures initiated in her 3rd year which was controlled with carbamazepine. CT scan in her 5th year of age demonstrated gyral calcifications in the occipital and posterior parietal regions bilaterally. MRI has shown low signal areas in the axial T2 sequences corresponding to the gyral calcifications evident on the CT. Blood investigation for coeliac disease with antigliadin, endomysial and transglutaminase antibodies was positive and the intestinal biopsy has showed villous atrophy associated with an increased number of intraepithelial lymphocytes and hypertrophic criptae compatible with coeliac disease.

Calcificaçäo intracraniana occipital bilateral, epilepsia e doença celíaca: relato de caso / Bilateral occipital calcification, epilepsy and coeliac disease: case report

Relatamos o caso de uma menina com 6 anos de idade que apresentava episódios recorrentes de diarréia desde os 6 meses de vida associada a anemia ferropriva com desenvolvimento neuromotor normal. Aos 3 anos de idade começou a apresentar crises parciais que foram controladas com carbamazepina. Tomografia computadorizada de crânio aos 5 anos demonstrou calcificaçöes girais grosseiras nas regiöes occipital e parietal posterior bilateralmente. A ressonância magnética de crânio evidenciou áreas de hipossinal em T2 na regiäo parieto-occipital bilateralmente. Realizou investigaçäo para síndrome de mal absorçäo incluindo estudo da funçäo digestivo/absortiva (teste D-xilose), avaliaçäo sorológica (anticorpos antigliadina, antiendomísio e antitransglutaminase) e biopsia de intestino delgado que demonstrou intensa atrofia de vilosidades com infiltrado linfoplasmocitário no córion compatível com doença celíaca

Monitorizaçäo eletroencefalográfica ambulatorial na epilepsia de difícil controle da infância / Eletroencephalographic monitoring in refractory epilepsies in childhood

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar através da monitorizaçäo eletroencefalográfica ambulatorial contínua e prolongada a distribuiçäo temporal de descargas paroxísticas em sono e em vigília de crianças e adolescentes com epilepsia de difícil controle medicamentoso. Foram selecionadas 21 pacientes na faixa etária de 4 a 17 anos de idade com epilepsia de difícil controle medicamentoso, sendo 52,3 por cento (n=11) do sexo masculino e 47,7 por cento (n=10) do feminino, provenientes da Disciplina de Neurologia da Universidade Federal de Säo Paulo. Os exames foram realizados com o equipamento Bioware EEG-2008 de monitorizaçäo eletroencefalográfica ambulatorial prolongada (Holter cerebral). Observamos maior frequência das descargas epilépticas isoladas e agrupadas no sono diurno e noturno em relaçäo a vigília; o sono, diurno e noturno, levou a ativaçäo de descargas epilépticas, tanto isoladas como agrupadas. O Holter cerebral foi mais eficaz em detectar descargas epileptiformes do que o EEG de rotina em 33,33 por cento dos pacientes. O Holter cerebral se mostrou método útil e preciso na detecçäo de descargas epilépticas, auxiliando na avaliaçäo das flutuaçöes da frequência da atividade paroxística em crianças com epilepsia de difícil controle medicamentoso, tanto em relaçäo as atividades da vida cotidiana, quanto em relaçäo ao ciclo biológico de sono e vigília