Prediction of EEG Abnormalities in Adolescent Delinquents

Abstract

ATTENTION has long been focused on the role of organicity in delinquent behavior, and those electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities which are not associated with overt seizure phenomena have been of particular interest. This has been especially true since the description of the 14 and 6/sec positive spike pattern by Gibbs and Gibbs¹ in 1951. The role of such "diencephalic epilepsy" and of other organic factors has remained vague, but it has been assumed that these factors do play a part in the etiology of socially conflicting behavior. Other types of epilepsy have been presumed to influence delinquent behavior, but the extremely high incidence of the 14 and 6/sec pattern makes it of special interest. It has been reported to occur in from 20% to 26% of unselected school populations.² This pattern is best demonstrated by the EEG in the temporal and occipital areas, usually during light sleep, and occurs