The 14 & 6-Associated Clinical Complex: A Rejected Hypothesis Revisited

Abstract

The 14 & 6 Hz positive spike phenomenon is generally considered a normal variant finding. Our experience prompted this re-evaluation, which consisted of three parts: (1) In children referred for sleep electroencephalograms (EEGs), 100 children with normal EEG and 100 with 14 & 6—the 14 & 6 correlated with behavior disorder and aggression; (2) In 75 children referred for neurological evaluation and EEG because of behavior problems, 52% had 14 & 6 (excluding those with paroxysmal EEGs); and (3) In 57 symptomatic children having prominent 14 & 6, tabulation of symptoms yielded a complex but coherent clinical picture, including disturbances of temper, mood, attention, learning, and sleep. We conclude that 14 & 6 has clinical associations and deserves study. (J Child Neurol 1987;2:117-127).