Chronological age, receptive vocabulary, and syntax comprehension in children and adolescents with mental retardation.

This study was designed to examine the association of CA with syntax and vocabulary comprehension in children and adolescents with mental retardation. It was conducted using the PPVT-R and the Test for Reception of Grammar. The cognitive level of participants was estimated by means of three nonverbal intelligence tests.

Sleep in subjects with autistic disorder: a neurophysiological and psychological study.

Polysomnography (EOG, EEG, EMG) was carried out in 17 male children and adolescents with autistic disorder, in seven patients with mental retardation and fragile X syndrome, and in five age- and sex-matched normal male subjects. Density of rapid eye movements was not significantly different in the three groups of subjects; however, some sleep parameters such as time in bed, sleep period time, and total sleep time were significantly lower in subjects with autistic disorder than in normal controls; moreover, patients with autistic disorder showed values of sleep period time, first REM latency and percent (%) sleep stage 1 lower than those of patients with fragile X syndrome with mental retardation. Density of muscle twitches was significantly higher in patients with autistic disorder than in normal controls.

Chronological age and receptive vocabulary of persons with Down syndrome.

The Test de Vocabulaire en Images (the French version of the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test) and the Columbia Mental Maturity Scale were administered to 29 participants with Down syndrome aged 6.1 yr. to 13.

Epileptic drivers--a study of 1,089 patients.

A longitudinal study of 1,089 epileptic patients followed up by the same specialist between 1965-1991, allowed close observation of the seizures occurring to the patient at the wheel and their consequences and to relate them to detailed epileptological criteria. The results show road accidents caused by epileptic seizures are few and most of them are minor. The repatriation of risks between patients is very uneven.

Long-term administration of butoctamide hydrogen succinate on nocturnal sleep of mentally retarded subjects: a polygraphic study versus placebo.

Butoctamide hydrogen succinate (BAHS) has been proved to increase REM sleep in patients with reduced REM sleep. Following previous experiments on the effects of BAHS on nocturnal sleep of mentally retarded (MR) subjects, a polygraphic study was conducted on 20 MR subjects (age 8-14 years) to verify the effects of BAHS, 1) after long-term administration and 2) in different etiologies of MR. Subjects were divided into two balanced groups receiving placebo or 400 mg BAHS before sleep for a 6-month period.