Children with autism who also have an abnormal EEG or epilepsy are more likely to experience problems with developmental and adaptive functioning, according to an analysis of 443 patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- The medical records of children with autism were reviewed by researchers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
- The children were divided into 3 categories: those with ASD, no epilepsy, and abnormal EEG results; those with ASD, no epilepsy, and normal EEG; and those with ASD and epilepsy.
- Among 372 patients with ASD without epilepsy, 25.5% had an abnormal EEG; these patients were more likely to have more impaired adaptive functioning when compared to patients with normal EEG readings.
- Children with abnormal EEG readings presented with similar abnormalities to the group with epilepsy.
- Patients with epilepsy had lower scores on all the tests that measure developmental and adaptive functioning, when compared to those with normal EEG readings.
Capal JK, Carosella C, Corbin E, et al. EEG endophenotypes in autism spectrum disorder [published online ahead of print Oct 17, 2018]. Epilepsy Behav.
