Language regression associated with autistic regression and electroencephalographic (eeg) abnormalities: A prospective study

We report a boy, referred at 25months following a dramatic isolated language regression antedating autistic-like symptomatology.His sleep electroencephalogram (EEG) showed persistent focal epileptiform activity over the left parietal and vertex areas never associated with clinical seizures. He was started on adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) with a significant improvement in language, behavior, and in EEG discharges in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Later course was characterized by fluctuations/ regressions in language and behavior abilities, in phase with recrudescence of EEG abnormalities prompting additional ACTH courses that led to remarkable decrease in EEG abnormalities, improvement in language, and to a lesser degree, in autistic behavior. The timely documentation of regression episodes suggesting an atypical autistic regression, striking therapyinduced improvement, fluctuation of symptomatology over time could be ascribed to recurrent and persisting EEG abnormalities.