The Link between Epilepsy and Autism

Previous studies have shown that nearly one-third of patients with an autism spectrum disorder also have epilepsy. Up until recently, however, only limited clinical research showed a connection between the two neurological conditions.

According to an editorial by Dr. Megdad Zaatreh, a board-certified neurologist who works as the medical director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at CentraState Medical Center, epileptic seizures short-circuit the neurological function that control socialization patterns in the brain, in the same way that affects autism, including impairment of eye contact and tightly regimented or repetitive cycles of behavior.

Socialization and behavioral management for those with epilepsy had been relatively underdiagnosed. Yet findings show that the more frequent the epileptic seizures, the more severely impacted the patient's socialization issues can be.  

These study results could give new treatment options for adults with epilepsy, including those typically used to treat autism.

"The highest incidence of epilepsy occurs during the first year of life, when many new parents overlook or misinterpret physical symptoms," Zaatreh noted, via Live Science. "Each year, 150,000 children and adolescents in the United States will have a newly occurring single seizure, and 30,000 will be diagnosed with epilepsy after subsequent seizures occur. During early childhood development, infants often exhibit a variety of erratic physical movements and mannerisms that may not cause immediate concern."  

Parents who suspect that their child may have suffered from a seizure should contact their pediatrician immediately for further assistance.