INCREASED PREVALENCE OF ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES IN CHILDREN WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, AND SEXUAL ABUSE

This retrospective study examined the association between abuse histor y and neurological abnormalities in 115 consecutive patients admitted to a child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient unit. Increased electr ophysiological abnormalities were found in abused patients compared wi th non-abused patients (54.4% vs. 26.9%, P = 0.021), predominantly in the left side of the frontal, temporal, or anterior region (P = 0.036) . This may support the hypothesis that early abuse alters brain develo pment, particularly limbic structures. However, a large-scale prospect ive longitudinal assessment study is needed to interpret this associat ion. Possible clinical consequences of relatively preserved right fron tal function are discussed.