Autism and Epilepsy

J Millichap

doi:10.15844/pedneurbriefs-20-1-1

Autism and Epilepsy

Author:

J Gordon Millichap

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, US

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Abstract

The prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in children (2-18 years of age) with epilepsy was evaluated at a Tertiary Care Epilepsy Clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada

How to Cite: Millichap, J.G., 2006. Autism and Epilepsy. Pediatric Neurology Briefs, 20(1), pp.1–2. DOI: http://doi.org/10.15844/pedneurbriefs-20-1-1

The prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) in children (2-18 years of age) with epilepsy was evaluated at a Tertiary Care Epilepsy Clinic at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. ASD was assessed using parent questionnaires (ASQ), based on the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, and age and language development of the child (Berument, Rutter, Lord, 1999). The questionnaire also related to sleep disorders, behavior, types of seizures, and antiepileptic medication (AED). Of 290 questionnaires distributed, 107 were returned, and 97 (32%) subjects were considered at risk of having ASD. The mean age was 12.7 years. A diagnosis of ASD had not previously been suspected in the majority. Patients with scores above the ASQ diagnostic cutoff of 15 (31 [32%]) were assigned to the ASD group, and those with scores below the ASQ cutoff (66 [68%]) were included in the non- ASD group. A comparison of ASD and non-ASD groups showed a similar mean age (10.53 and 11.07 years, respectively); similar body mass indices; male sex in 61% and 49% (difference NS); younger mean age at first seizure in ASD group (21 months vs 55 months; p=0.0001); greater mean number of AEDs (SD) used in ASD group (1.77+/-0.80 vs 1.45+/- 0.91; p=0.04); average seizure frequency 10.5 and 5.38 per month (difference NS); number with generalized seizures 12/29 (41%) vs 29/61 (47%). Sleep-related problems in the ASD group included an increased frequency of nocturnal arousals, 38% vs 17% (p=0.06); difficulty in falling back to sleep after arousal (42% vs 18% [p=0.02]); early morning awakening in 55% vs 26% (p=0.01); and more daytime sleepiness reported by teachers, 73% vs 45% (p=0.01). Behavioral scores pertaining to attention, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness were worse in the ASD vs non-ASD groups, 3,7 vs 2.2 (p=0.001). Sleep-disordered breathing was strongly associated with a worse mean behavioral score of 3.45 in the ASD group vs 2.17 for non-ASD subjects. [1]

COMMENT. The Committee on Children with Disabilities of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a prolonged sleep-deprived EEG in autistic children with regression.¹ Sleep disorders are reported in children with epilepsy,^2,3 and in those with autism.⁴ Sleep EEGs are abnormal in children with autism and subclinical seizures, and treatment with the anticonvulsant, valproate results in improvement in language and social skills,⁵ an observation confirmed in children with autism and epilepsy.⁶

The present report emphasizes the importance of clinical vigilance for symptoms of regression and autism in children with an onset of epilepsy. The authors also demonstrate the frequency of sleep and behavioral disorders in children with co-morbid symptoms of epilepsy and autistic spectrum disorder. Other co-morbidities frequently associated with epilepsy include ADHD, developmental disabilities, migraine, depression/anxiety, and accidental injury.⁷ Children with autism and co-morbid cognitive impairment are at higher risk for epilepsy and abnormal EEGs (p<0.05), according to a recent retrospective study of 56 patients with autism referred for routine EEG.⁸ The findings corroborate the recommendation of the AAP committee concerning EEG in children with autism and regression of language and communication, but do not support routine EEG in higher-functioning autistic children, unless they have episodic symptoms suggestive of epilepsy. 1) [2]; 2) [3]; 3) [4]; 4) [5]; 5) [6]; 6) [7]; 7) [8]; 8) [9].

Genetics of autism and epilepsy. The inheritance patterns of both autism and epilepsy are heterogeneous and complex. In a search for autism loci by combined analysis of the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange (288 families) and 26 Finnish families, the most promising shared locus was on 3p24-26. Earlier identified loci on 3q25-27 or 17pl2-q21 did not show increased linkage evidence by the combined data analysis. The oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) was highlighted for further analysis as a gene for autism [10]. In contrast to autism, the genetics of epilepsy is better understood, particularly with regard to the idiopathic generalized epilepsies, and especially the syndromes of generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+). GEFS+ comprises a variety of phenotypes in a single family, ranging from typical febrile seizures to severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy [11, 12]. A family with both GEFS+ and autism in several members is described, showing a genetic relationship between epilepsy and autism. [13]

New theories of autism: hyper-systemising and assortative mating. Autism spectrum disorder is the result of a systemizing mechanism (SM) being set too high, resisting change and preferring predictability and repetition (eg. mathematics, engineering). Autism in a child is the result of having 2 systemisers for parents (assortative mating). [14]

References

Clarke, DF Roberts, W Daraksan, M Dupuis, A McCabe, J Wood, H et al. (2005). The prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder in children surveyed in a tertiary care epilepsy clinic. Epilepsia Dec 200546(12): 1970–1977, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.00343.x [PubMed]

Committee on Children With Disabilities. American Academy of Pediatrics: The pediatrician’s role in the diagnosis and management of autistic spectrum disorder in children. Pediatrics May 2001107(5): 1221–1226, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.107.5.1221 [PubMed]

Cortesi, F, Giannotti, F and Ottaviano, S (1999). Sleep problems and daytime behavior in childhood idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsia Nov 199940(11): 1557–1565, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1157.1999.tb02040.x [PubMed]

Becker, DA, Fennell, EB and Carney, PR (2004). Daytime behavior and sleep disturbance in childhood epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behav Oct 20045(5): 708–715, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2004.06.004 [PubMed]

Patzold, LM, Richdale, AL and Tonge, BJ (1998). An investigation into sleep characteristics of children with autism and Asperger’s Disorder. J Paediatr Child Health Dec 199834(6): 528–533, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1754.1998.00291.x [PubMed]

Plioplys, AV (1994). Autism: electroencephalogram abnormalities and clinical improvement with valproic acid. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med Feb 1994148(2): 220–222, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1994.02170020106021 [PubMed]

Hollander, E, Dolgoff-Kaspar, R, Cartwright, C, Rawitt, R and Novotny, S (2001). An open trial of divalproex sodium in autism spectrum disorders. J Clin Psychiatry Jul 200162(7): 530–534, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.v62n07a05 [PubMed]

Pellock, JM (2004). Understanding co-morbidities affecting children with epilepsy. Neurology Mar 200462 Suppl 2: S17–S23, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.62.5_suppl_2.S17 [PubMed]

Gabis, L, Pomeroy, J and Andriola, MR (2005). Autism and epilepsy: cause, consequence, comorbidity, or coincidence?. Epilepsy & Behav Dec 20057(4): 652–656, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2005.08.008 [PubMed]

Ylisaukko-oja, T Alarcón, M Cantor, RM Auranen, M Vanhala, R Kempas, E et al. (2006). Search for autism loci by combined analysis of Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and Finnish families. Ann Neurol Jan 200659(1): 145–155, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.20722 [PubMed]

Scheffer, IE (2005). The role of genetics and ethnicity in epilepsy management. Acta Neurol Scand Dec 2005112 Suppl 181: 47–51, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0404.2005.00509.x [PubMed]

Ottman, R (2005). Analysis of genetically complex epilepsies. Epilepsia 46 Suppl 10: 7–14, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.00350.x [PubMed]

Dixon-Salazar, TJ, Keeler, LC, Trauner, DA and Gleeson, JG (2004). Autism in several members of a family with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus. J Child Neurol Aug 200419(8): 597–603, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/088307380401900806 [PubMed]

Baron-Cohen, S (2006). Two new theories of autism: hyper-systemising and assortative mating. Arch Dis Child Jan 200691(1): 2–5, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2005.075846 [PubMed]

[CIT0001] Clarke, DF Roberts, W Daraksan, M Dupuis, A McCabe, J Wood, H et al. (2005). The prevalence of autistic spectrum disorder in children surveyed in a tertiary care epilepsy clinic. Epilepsia Dec 200546(12): 1970–1977, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.00343.x [PubMed]

[CIT0002] Committee on Children With Disabilities. American Academy of Pediatrics: The pediatrician’s role in the diagnosis and management of autistic spectrum disorder in children. Pediatrics May 2001107(5): 1221–1226, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.107.5.1221 [PubMed]

[CIT0003] Cortesi, F, Giannotti, F and Ottaviano, S (1999). Sleep problems and daytime behavior in childhood idiopathic epilepsy. Epilepsia Nov 199940(11): 1557–1565, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1157.1999.tb02040.x [PubMed]

[CIT0004] Becker, DA, Fennell, EB and Carney, PR (2004). Daytime behavior and sleep disturbance in childhood epilepsy. Epilepsy & Behav Oct 20045(5): 708–715, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2004.06.004 [PubMed]

[CIT0005] Patzold, LM, Richdale, AL and Tonge, BJ (1998). An investigation into sleep characteristics of children with autism and Asperger’s Disorder. J Paediatr Child Health Dec 199834(6): 528–533, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1754.1998.00291.x [PubMed]

[CIT0006] Plioplys, AV (1994). Autism: electroencephalogram abnormalities and clinical improvement with valproic acid. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med Feb 1994148(2): 220–222, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.1994.02170020106021 [PubMed]

[CIT0007] Hollander, E, Dolgoff-Kaspar, R, Cartwright, C, Rawitt, R and Novotny, S (2001). An open trial of divalproex sodium in autism spectrum disorders. J Clin Psychiatry Jul 200162(7): 530–534, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.v62n07a05 [PubMed]

[CIT0008] Pellock, JM (2004). Understanding co-morbidities affecting children with epilepsy. Neurology Mar 200462 Suppl 2: S17–S23, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.62.5_suppl_2.S17 [PubMed]

[CIT0009] Gabis, L, Pomeroy, J and Andriola, MR (2005). Autism and epilepsy: cause, consequence, comorbidity, or coincidence?. Epilepsy & Behav Dec 20057(4): 652–656, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2005.08.008 [PubMed]

[CIT0010] Ylisaukko-oja, T Alarcón, M Cantor, RM Auranen, M Vanhala, R Kempas, E et al. (2006). Search for autism loci by combined analysis of Autism Genetic Resource Exchange and Finnish families. Ann Neurol Jan 200659(1): 145–155, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ana.20722 [PubMed]

[CIT0011] Scheffer, IE (2005). The role of genetics and ethnicity in epilepsy management. Acta Neurol Scand Dec 2005112 Suppl 181: 47–51, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0404.2005.00509.x [PubMed]

[CIT0012] Ottman, R (2005). Analysis of genetically complex epilepsies. Epilepsia 46 Suppl 10: 7–14, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.00350.x [PubMed]

[CIT0013] Dixon-Salazar, TJ, Keeler, LC, Trauner, DA and Gleeson, JG (2004). Autism in several members of a family with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus. J Child Neurol Aug 200419(8): 597–603, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/088307380401900806 [PubMed]

[CIT0014] Baron-Cohen, S (2006). Two new theories of autism: hyper-systemising and assortative mating. Arch Dis Child Jan 200691(1): 2–5, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2005.075846 [PubMed]

Reading: Autism and Epilepsy

Seizure Disorders

Autism and Epilepsy

Author:

J Gordon Millichap

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, US

X close

Abstract

References