Exploring the Relationship Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Epilepsy Using Latent Class Cluster Analysis

Abstract

Epilepsy co-occurs frequently in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Understanding this co-occurrence requires a better understanding of the ASD-epilepsy phenotype (or phenotypes). To address this, we conducted latent class cluster analysis (LCCA) on an ASD dataset (N = 577) which included 64 individuals with epilepsy. We identified a 5-cluster solution with one cluster showing a high rate of epilepsy (29%), earlier age at first recognition, and high rates of repetitive object use and unusual sensory interests. We also conducted LCCA on an ASD-epilepsy subset from the overall dataset (N = 64) which yielded three clusters, the largest of which had impairments in language and motor development; the remaining clusters, while not as developmentally impaired were characterized by different levels of repetitive and sensory behaviors.

Network Approach to Autistic Traits: Group and Subgroup Analyses of ADOS Item Scores

“…This is congruent with the well established increased occurrence of seizures in the individuals meeting criteria for ASD with co-occurring ID and, perhaps, points to similar factors underlying the two conditions. As has been discussed previously, both seizures and ID are not familial in individuals meeting criteria for ASD and appear to be emergenic phenomena in that they depend upon the coming together of a constellation of factors within the individual (Anderson 2008;Cuccaro et al 2012). We found several aspects of the networks to be unexpected and, at times, remarkable.…”

Ketogenic diets improve behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorder in a sex-specific manner in the EL mouse

“…Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is frequently comorbid with epilepsy, with 7%–21% of children diagnosed with ASD also having a diagnosis of epilepsy [1–5]. This range is likely due to sampling from different populations, and is likely conservative.…”

“…This range is likely due to sampling from different populations, and is likely conservative. Among subgroups of patients, a high seizure frequency or severity correlates with severity of core ASD symptoms (low sociability and communication; high repetitive/stereotyped behavior) and intellectual disability [1,4]. …”

Comments on Hughes JR. A review of recent reports on autism: 1000 studies published in 2007. Epilepsy & Behavior 2008;13:425–437 and Hughes JR. Update on autism: A review of 1300 reports published in 2008. Epilepsy & Behavior 2009;16:569–589.

“…The relationship between epilepsy and autism remains the subject of debate [12][13][14]. There is no doubt that, in rare cases, epilepsy can cause autistic features, as for example, in Landau-Kleffner syndrome of acquired epileptic aphasia [15].…”