International Neuropsychiatric Disease Journal

Landau-Kleffner Syndrome (LKS) Presenting with Acquired Aphasia and Absence Seizures: A Case Report

Shabbir I. Malapara — 2026-06-22

Landau-Kleffner syndrome is an uncommon epileptic encephalopathy of childhood characterised by acquired language regression, epileptiform electroencephalographic abnormalities, seizures and variable behavioural disturbance. This case report describes a 7-year-old boy with a one-year history of recurrent absence seizures occurring approximately once every two to four days, with blank staring, unresponsiveness and bilateral eye blinking. Despite initiation of valproate therapy, the child developed progressive auditory and verbal aphasia over 7-8 months, followed by reliance on gestures for communication during the preceding 3 months. Behavioural changes included aggression, hyperactivity, tantrums and irritability. Prior development was reported as normal, with no relevant antenatal, family, psychiatric or chronic medical history. General examination, vital signs, routine laboratory investigations, fundoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging of the brain were unremarkable. Detailed neurological examination was limited by hyperactivity. Electroencephalography showed frequent focal epileptiform discharges, supporting the clinical diagnosis of Landau-Kleffner syndrome in the context of acquired aphasia, seizures and behavioural changes. Treatment included escalation of valproate from 20 mg/kg/day to 60 mg/kg/day, addition of oral clobazam at 1 mg/kg/day and intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy at 30 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Following treatment optimisation, seizure frequency decreased, behavioural symptoms improved and repeat electroencephalography showed reduced focal epileptiform discharges. The child subsequently regained coherent speech and was transitioned to oral prednisolone at 2 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks, followed by tapering over 4-6 weeks. At follow-up, he remained seizure-free on valproate and clobazam without further behavioural changes. Early recognition and individualised multimodal treatment may improve clinical outcomes in suspected Landau-Kleffner syndrome.

Reconstruction after Burns: Where Surgery Meets Psychological Healing

Sara Karti — 2026-06-22

Burn injuries represent among the most devastating forms of physical trauma, leaving survivors to navigate complex trajectories of surgical reconstruction, functional rehabilitation, and profound psychological adaptation. This critical review examines the convergence of reconstructive surgical practice and psychological healing in burn care, synthesising evidence published between 2010 and present. The review draws on literature spanning plastic and reconstructive surgery, clinical psychology, psychiatry, rehabilitation medicine, and health-related quality of life research to interrogate how physical restoration and mental health interact, reinforce, and sometimes conflict with one another throughout the recovery continuum. Key surgical modalities—including skin grafting, flap reconstruction, tissue expansion, and laser therapies—are evaluated alongside their documented psychological correlates, with particular attention to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, body image disturbance, and chronic pain. The review critically appraises multidisciplinary care frameworks, psychosocial screening tools validated in burn populations, and the emerging role of psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and virtual reality-based treatments. Disparities in access to integrated care across high-income and low- and middle-income country contexts are examined, as are special considerations pertaining to paediatric survivors and individuals with large total body surface area injuries. The evidence collectively supports the position that surgical and psychological components of burn recovery are not sequential but deeply interdependent, and that care models failing to account for this interdependence generate measurable deficits in long-term patient outcomes. The review concludes by identifying critical gaps in the literature and proposing directions for future integrated research.

Influence of Cyberbullying Involvement on Psychological Distress among in-School Adolescents in Nigeria

Elizabeth Nkechi Akpunne — 2026-06-04

Background: Even though adolescents in Nigeria are increasingly using technology and internet-based devices, there is still a severe lack of research on cyberbullying and its possible effects on Nigerian students.

Aim of the study: This study investigates the prevalence of cyberbullying involvement and its predictive influence on psychological distress (PD) among in-school adolescents in Ogun State. The Online Disinhibition Theory explains how the anonymous and minimally supervised nature of cyberspace reduces inhibition and encourages cyberbullying behaviors, while the General Strain Theory explains how experiences of cyberbullying victimization may lead to psychological distress and deviant coping behaviors such as cyberbullying perpetration.

Design of the Study: Using a cross-sectional research design, Participants were selected from two public and two private secondary schools located in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State, South-western Nigerian. A total of 355 participants (118 male and 237 female) whose ages ranged from 13 to 19 years (mean age 15.18±1.35) were sampled using a multi-stage procedure.

Tools of the Study: Participants responded to the Cyberbullying and Online Aggression Survey (CBOAS) and General Health Questionnaire 12 (GHQ-12). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in data analysis.

Results: A high prevalence of cyberbullying involvement was found. The findings showed that 33.2%, 37.5%, and 13.0% of the participants reporting mild, moderate, and severe levels, respectively. 13.0% of severe psychological distress was also reported. A significant relationship between cyberbullying involvement and psychological distress (r = .13, p < 0.05) was also found. Cyberbullying victimization and perpetration independently and jointly predicted psychological distress (F = 3.56, p < 0.05, R² = .02). Finally, significant gender influence on psychological distress was found (t (353) = 9.07, p < .01).

Conclusion & Recommendations: Authors conclude that that there is a high prevalence of PD among Nigerian in-school adolescents. In addition, that cyberbullying involvement is strongly linked with PD. Based on the findings of this study, there is a need for the provision of psychological services and personnel in all secondary schools in Ogun State to reduce the prevalence of cyberbullying and its related negative consequences, as cyberbullying involvement was found to be prevalent among secondary school students in Ogun State. Further study on cyberbullying involvement and PD is also recommended.