BECTS evolving to Landau-Kleffner Syndrome and back by subsequent recovery: a longitudinal language reorganization case study using fMRI, source EEG, and neuropsychological testing.

By means of a longitudinal case study, we demonstrated the course of cerebral reorganization of language representation due to epilepsy in a child with benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS) evolving to Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (LKS) and returning to BECTS. The child underwent the following procedures at the ages of 8.2, 8.6, and 9.3 years: 3D source EEG imaging, language fMRI (sentence generation and reading), and neuropsychological testing. He had a follow-up testing at the age of 10.8 years. Further, 24-h EEGs were regularly performed. At the age of around 8 years, the child was diagnosed initially with left-hemispheric BECTS, which evolved to LKS with continuous bilateral discharges. In addition, 3D source imaging data revealed a left anterior temporal focus with a spreading to the right parietal and left centro-parietal areas. The patient had verbal agnosia with poor verbal yet good performance indices. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed a left-hemispheric reading network but sentence generation was impossible to perform. After initiation of adequate treatment, continuous discharges disappeared, and only very rare left-hemispheric centro-temporal spikes remained. Verbal IQ and performance IQ increased at the age of 8.6 years. Functional magnetic resonance imaging showed, at this time, a right-hemispheric language activation pattern for sentence generation and reading. At the ages of 9.3 and 10.8 years, language tasks remained right-hemispheric and verbal IQ remained stable, but right-hemispheric non-verbal functions decreased due to possible crowding-out mechanisms.

[Acquisition of human bipedal gait from the viewpoint of the aquatic ape theory]. / Der Erwerb menschlicher Bipedie aus der Sicht der Aquatic Ape Theory.

We are convinced that human bipedalism is better accounted for by the Aquatic Ape Theory than by the hypotheses, now commonly accepted, that the vertical gait is part of an adaptation for life in the savannahs. The advantages of the upright gait are easily understood by the versatility of this locomotion in a semi-aquatic mode of life. Early hominid bipedalism cannot be described as an ideal adaptation for one isolated form of locomotion, since human bipedalism covers a wide range of locomoter behaviours such as diving, swimming, wading, climbing trees and rocks, and moving on land. This locomotor versatility, however, should not be confused with theories that consider humans and their ancestors as "primitive" or "unspecialized" creatures. The pronounced swimming and diving abilities of humans--and the features that make these abilities possible--represents the most striking element of our species locomotor spectrum in comparison with highly specialized "savannah primates". On the one hand baboons and geladas are clearly better-adapted to savannah conditions than humans are, if the acquisitions of modern technology are not taken into consideration. To these adaptations belongs quadrupedalism, which is the most common and successful form of locomotion among terrestrial tetrapods. On the other hand, humans are in most respects much better swimmers and divers than nonhuman primates even without technological help. The only satisfying explanation for these different adaptations of humans and nonhuman primates is provided by the Aquatic Ape Theory. It is the only model of humans evolution that accounts for the numerous examples of convergent features between people and other vertebrates and the only model that explains these convergences in connection with a well-defined ecological niche.