Epilepsy and Autism Comorbidity - Up-To-Date Review

This article aims to present an up-to-date viewpoint regarding epilepsy and autism comorbidity. Extensive research in neurobiology and genetic studies have showed significant proof of a common foundation of genetic factors and pathophysiological pathways in both, epilepsy and autism. We present some clinical implications regarding evidence-based approaches to diagnosis and management in patients with this comorbidity. Methodology The authors have reviewed multiple studies and articles authored by experts and respected scientist in the field up to the year 2015. These consist in genetic, neurobiological, neuropathophysiological, and electroencephalographic studies combined with clinical data. Clinically-oriented results and implications were extracted and used to present practice recommendations with the strongest evidence support. A detailed list of the material used can be found in the reference sector. The correlation between ASD, neurologic dysfunction and epilepsy suggests an underlying encephalopathy presenting with a combination of neurologic abnormalities, including clinical epileptiform activity. The estimated rate of comorbidity varies between 2025 % of the whole spectrum. Several biological pathways appear to be involved in both disease processes, including gene transcription regulation, cellular growth, synaptic channel function, and maintenance of synaptic structure. The American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society practice parameters state that there is inadequate evidence to recommend an EEG study in all individuals with autism. In the absence of clinical epilepsy, treatment of EEG epileptiform activity with AEDs has not been demonstrated to reverse the symptoms of ASD. epilepsy, autism, co morbidity, Electroencephalography, Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex