Electroencephalographic findings in autistic non-epileptic children

Abstract

Despite the well-acknowledged link between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and epilepsy, the prevalence and significance of electroencephalogram (EEG) changes in epileptic children in the absence of clinical seizures remains underdetermined. Aim. The primary goal of this study is to report the prevalence of EEG abnormalities in non-epileptic or pre-epileptic autistic children, investigate their association with a set of pre-determined risk factors, speculate on their significance, and direct future research efforts. Methods. A case-based sampling for children diagnosed with autism was done. Only patients without a history of epilepsy and those under the age of 15 were included. All patients underwent an EEG study. Children with abnormal EEG findings (case group) were compared to age-matched controls with normal EEG findings using a set of pre-determined factors. Results. A total of 38 patients were enrolled in our study, of whom 31.6% (n=12) had abnormal EEG readings. Of those, the presence of the following EEG abnormalities were noted – each being present in two patients: frontal sharp waves, frontal slowing, temporal slowing, bitemporal slowing, frontal sharp waves, and generalized sharp waves, Frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (FIRDA). Patients with abnormal EEG findings were more likely to have a positive family history of epilepsy and/or autism, with odd ratios of 28.05, and 12.62, accordingly. Conclusion. Aberrant brain connectivity patterns have been observed in non-epileptic ASD patients, and our findings support these findings. Furthermore, we believe that gender, mother's age, mode of delivery, and speech abnormalities could all have an impact on the EEG results. However, more research is needed to expand on these findings.