Not EEG abnormalities but epilepsy is associated with autistic regression and mental functioning in childhood autism

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2004 Aug;13(4):209-13. doi: 10.1007/s00787-004-0353-7.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the potential association of epilepsy and EEG abnormalities with autistic regression and mental retardation. We examined a group of 77 autistic children (61 boys, 16 girls) with an average age of 9.1 +/- 5.3 years. Clinical interview, neurological examination focused on the evaluation of epilepsy, IQ testing, and 21-channel EEG (including night sleep EEG recording) were performed. Normal EEGs were observed in 44.4% of the patients, non-epileptiform abnormal EEGs in 17.5%, and abnormal EEGs with epileptiform discharges in 38.1% of the patients. Epilepsy was found in 22.1% of the subjects. A history of regression was reported in 25.8% of the patients, 54.8% of the sample had abnormal development during the first year of life, and 79.7% of the patients were mentally retarded. Autistic regression was significantly more frequent in patients with epilepsy than in non-epileptic patients (p = 0.003). Abnormal development during the first year of life was significantly associated with epileptiform EEG abnormalities (p = 0.014). Epilepsy correlated significantly with mental retardation (p = 0.001). Although the biological basis and possible causal relationships of these associations remain to be explained, they may point to different subgroups of patients with autistic spectrum disorders.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Autistic Disorder* / diagnosis
  • Autistic Disorder* / epidemiology
  • Autistic Disorder* / physiopathology
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Electroencephalography*
  • Epilepsy* / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy* / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy* / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Regression, Psychology*