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Incidence and Behavioral Correlates of Epileptiform Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are associated with an increased incidence of epilepsy and of epileptiform discharges on electroencephalograms. It is unknown whether epileptiform discharges correlate with symptoms of ASD. We completed a retrospective chart review of 101 patients with ASD who had overnight electroencephalograms. We looked for a relationship between epileptiform abnormalities and diagnosis, history of regression, communication skills, and other features associated with ASD. There was a higher incidence of epileptiform activity in children with stereotypies and aggressive behavior. The incidence of epileptiform abnormalities was significantly lower in Asperger’s compared with more severe forms of autism. Results suggest that increasing severity of autistic symptoms may be associated with higher likelihood of epileptiform abnormalities. Whether treatment alters outcome is unknown.

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Acknowledgments

This project was funded by NIH Clinical Research Training Grant T32 RR023254-05, by a grant from The Autism Tree Project Foundation, and by a grant from P.A.C.E. (Parents Against Childhood Epilepsy). The authors thank Amy Spilkin Ph.D. for help with statistical analyses and Lurenette Griffin for administrative support.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

This study was performed in accordance with the procedures of the University of California, San Diego Institutional Review Board, which gave ethical consent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0935, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093-0935, USA

    Caitlin K. Mulligan & Doris A. Trauner

  2. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA

    Doris A. Trauner

  3. Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA

    Doris A. Trauner

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  1. Caitlin K. Mulligan
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  2. Doris A. Trauner
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Correspondence to Doris A. Trauner.

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Mulligan, C.K., Trauner, D.A. Incidence and Behavioral Correlates of Epileptiform Abnormalities in Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 44, 452–458 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1888-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1888-6

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