This retrospective study examined the association between abuse
history and neurological abnormalities in 115 consecutive patients
admitted to a child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient
unit. Increased electrophysiological abnormalities were found in
abused patients compared with non-abused patients (54.4% vs. 26.9%, P
= 0.021), predominantly in the left side of the frontal, temporal, or
anterior region (P = 0.036). This may support the hypothesis that
early abuse alters brain development, particularly limbic
structures. However, a large-scale prospective longitudinal assessment
study is needed to interpret this association. Possible clinical
consequences of relatively preserved right frontal function are
discussed.