scholarly journals Controversial issues in comorbidity between epilepsy and autism: subclinical epileptiform activity and autistic epileptiform regression

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-48
Author(s):  
G. V. Kuzmich ◽  
A. N. Sinelnikova ◽  
K. Yu. Mukhin

Early childhood autism, or autism spectrum disorders, is an extremely heterogeneous group of conditions that share similar symptoms of dysontogenesis. The most significant comorbidity in patients with autism is epilepsy, which is still associated with a variety of controversies. The present article covers the most controversial aspects of comorbidity between autism and epilepsy, including the impact of psychopharmacotherapy on the risk of epilepsy, clinical significance of epileptiform activity on the electroencephalogram in patients without epilepsy, and criteria for and prevalence of autistic epileptiform regression syndrome. We found that there is still a lack of reliable evidence for the majority of issues related to the combination of autism and epilepsy. We emphasize the need for further studies. We also provide a detailed description of the history, criteria, prevalence, and clinical examples of autistic epileptiform regression syndrome.

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 40-52
Author(s):  
G. V. Kuzmich ◽  
A. N. Sinelnikova

Early childhood autism, or autism spectrum disorders, is an extremely heterogeneous group of conditions that share similar symptoms  of dysontogenesis. Epilepsy is the most significant comorbidity in autism. The present article covers various aspects of comorbidity between epilepsy and autism, described in the literature over the last 50 years. This review aims to analyze the development of epilepsy and autism during ontogenesis and to identify causal relationships between these diseases, considering the information on the two age peaks for epilepsy onset in patients with autism.


2021 ◽  
Vol LIII (1) ◽  
pp. 88-90
Author(s):  
Alexey Y. Egorov

The problem of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and early childhood autism, in particular, has become one of the most discussed problems of child psychiatry in recent years. For example, a search for publications with the keywords "Autism Spectrum Disorder" in PubMed for 2019 offers 4523 results, and for 2010 1795 links. This is due to a number of reasons.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 146-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amparo Díaz-Román ◽  
Junhua Zhang ◽  
Richard Delorme ◽  
Anita Beggiato ◽  
Samuele Cortese

BackgroundSleep problems are common and impairing in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Evidence synthesis including both subjective (ie, measured with questionnaires) and objective (ie, quantified with neurophysiological tools) sleep alterations in youth with ASD is currently lacking.ObjectiveWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of subjective and objective studies sleep studies in youth with ASD.MethodsWe searched the following electronic databases with no language, date or type of document restriction up to 23 May 2018: PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase+Embase Classic, Ovid Medline and Web of Knowledge. Random-effects models were used. Heterogeneity was assessed with Cochran’s Q and I2 statistics. Publication (small studies) bias was assessed with final plots and the Egger’s test. Study quality was evaluated with the Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Analyses were conducted using Review Manager and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis.FindingsFrom a pool of 3359 non-duplicate potentially relevant references, 47 datasets were included in the meta-analyses. Subjective and objective sleep outcome measures were extracted from 37 and 15 studies, respectively. Only five studies were based on comorbidity free, medication-naïve participants. Compared with typically developing controls, youth with ASD significantly differed in 10/14 subjective parameters and in 7/14 objective sleep parameters. The average quality score in the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was 5.9/9.Discussion and clinical implicationsA number of subjective and, to a less extent, objective sleep alterations might characterise youth with ASD, but future studies should assess the impact of pharmacological treatment and psychiatric comorbidities.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 626-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heidi Ormstad ◽  
Vesna Bryn ◽  
Robert Verkerk ◽  
Ola H. Skjeldal ◽  
Bente Halvorsen ◽  
...  

Background: There is evidence that changes in neuro-immune responses coupled with dysfunctions in serotonin metabolism underpin the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Objective: This study aimed to delineate whether ASD subgroups or characteristics show aberrations in tryptophan and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) metabolism. Methods: 65 individuals with ASD (diagnosed according to ICD criteria) and 30 healthy control patients were included. Measured were serum levels of tryptophan, kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KA), quinolinic acid (QA), BDNF and PRO-BDNF and total blood 5-HT and 5-OH-tryptophan (5-HTP). Results: Elevated BDNF levels and lower tryptophan and KA levels were characteristics of both childhood autism and intellectual disability disorder, whilst elevated tryptophan and lower 5-HT synthesis were hallmarks of Asperger syndrome. A pathological MRI was associated with elevated tryptophan and lowered KA. Abnormal EEG results and dysmorphology were both associated with an elevated BDNF/ PRO-BDNF ratio. Any brain pathology and gastro-intestinal symptoms were accompanied by lowered KA. Conclusions: Increased BDNF production and changes in the metabolism of tryptophan are associated with many ASD characteristics, showing particularly strong associations with childhood autism and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Peripheral BDNF and tryptophan metabolism appear to take part in the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders and their phenotypes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 744-755
Author(s):  
Olga A. Vazhenina ◽  
Lidiya K. Lobodenko

The authors investigate the process of humanization of society in relation to people with autism spectrum disorders and its relationship with the reception of problems of this category of population by society. The authors based on the descriptors of messages in social media published in the digital media space. The article reveals the relationship between the content of messages in social media, as well as the tools of this type of media and the overall degree of humanization of society at both social and political levels. The typological features of such a social media tool as a hashtag, when covering the problems of people with autism spectrum disorders, as well as the impact of these features on the reception of messages on this topic by both domestic and English-speaking users are noted.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumi Agarwal ◽  
Shanna L. Burke ◽  
Marlaina Maddux

Abstract The core symptoms and co-morbidities associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect daily living and quality of life. Existing pharmacological interventions are only able to attenuate some related symptoms but are unable to address the underlying etiologies associated with ASD. Anecdotal evidence, which claims benefit from the use of cannabis to treat symptoms among this population, has been gaining popularity as families seek solutions. This paper analyzed recent peer-reviewed literature to identify the current state of evidence regarding cannabis use for the ASD population. Systematic reviews, reports, and experimental studies were assessed to understand the current extent and nature of the evidence on the risks and benefits of cannabis use for ASD. At this time, three large-scale clinical trials are currently at varying stages of progress and publication of results. Only five small studies were identified that have specifically examined cannabis use in ASD. Given the sparse state of evidence directly assessed in this population, studies which examined effects of cannabis on shared pathological symptoms of ASD such as hyperactivity, sleep disorders, self-injury, anxiety, behavioral problems, and communication were also reviewed. Studies revealed mixed and inconclusive findings of cannabis effects for all conditions, except epilepsy. Adverse outcomes were also reported, which included severe psychosis, increased agitation, somnolence, decreased appetite, and irritability. In addition, a wide range of cannabis compositions and dosage were identified within the studies, which impact generalizability. There is currently insufficient evidence for cannabis use in ASD, which creates an urgent need for additional large-scale controlled studies to increase understanding of risks and benefits and also to examine the impact of “entourage effects.” This will support discussions of treatment options between health care providers and ASD patients and their families. Evidence may lead to a desired new line of treatment or prevent adverse outcomes from unsubstantiated use amongst families aiming for symptom reduction.


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