Subject: Re: ADD and EEGs
Forum: The Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum
Topic Area: Attention Deficit
Posted by CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS on October 23, 1998 at 12:54:51:
In Reply to: ADD and EEGs posted by Carrie James on October 23, 1998 at 06:53:26:

The fee was quoted at $1,020 and is performed in their office but mailed
to Harvard Med for analysis??? Is this a normal thing to test for with
an ADD child? Does the fee seem reasonable? One paper I saw on EEGs
estimated $250 - $300. We do live in So. Cal and I know things are
often more expensive here. Would there be something special about this
EEG?

Also, what is your knowledge/opinion of using bio-feedback as a therapy
for ADD?

Thank you!

Dear Carrie James:

Thank you for your note. I am sorry that your son has been diagnosed with ADD (does he also have hyperactivity?) I am not sure why your physician wants to have an EEG performed on your son. Does or did he have any seizure activity? When he fell and hit his head, did he loose consciousness? Other than ADD, does your son have any other neurological problem or deficit? Here at the Cleveland Clinic, we do not normally do EEGs in children with ADD unless there is a seizure event. If there is a seizure event, we would do an EEG and neuroimage of the brain to rule out any organic cause for the seizure. However, like I stated, normally an EEG is not part of the work-up. If you son has not had any neurological problem from his fall, then an EEG done this far removed from the event would not help in ADD management. As far as sending the EEG to be read at Harvard, I really don't think this would be necessary since one of the best Epilepsy Centers in the world (outside CCF, naturally) is UCLA. That is where I trained and I would not be a true Bruin to tell you any different. I don't know your son's history nor have I done the physical exam, but unless there is something out of the ordinary, I do not think an EEG would help decision making in your son's case. As far as biofeedback, there have been a few limited studies suggesting that it might help. Most of my collegues and myself are alittle skeptical. Medication seems to work in the majority of our patients and thus we have not pursued this avenue. You might want to talk to some of the other pediatric neurologists in your area and get their feel for this treatment. My experience is that most children diagnosed with ADD do very well with medication. I hope that your son also will be as fortunate. Let us know how he does.

Sincerely,

CCF Neuro:Pediatrics MD, RPS

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