title: Valproic acid treatment of epilepsy in autistic twins.
abstract: Case histories of autistic twins with absence seizures are presented. The boys had autistic features prior to the onset of seizures during their second year of life. By age 3 years, the twins were significantly delayed in the areas of socialization, communications and impulse control. Typical autistic features were pronounced, including perseverative, nonpurposeful and self-stimulatory behaviors; lack of symbolic play; poor eye contact; echolalic and noncommunicative speech; and unresponsiveness to disciplinary efforts. The absence seizures, although first observed by the parents early in the twins' second year, were not diagnosed until age 3 years 1 month. The seizures consisted of 50-60 staring spells per day. Both boys responded to valproic acid treatment with control of their seizures and with a dramatically accelerated rate of acquisition of both language and social skills. A possible causal relationship between autism and absence seizures in these children is explored.
authors.affiliation: DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware, 19899, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Childs
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Blair
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D004200:Diseases in Twins / Q000235:genetics*; D004832:Epilepsy, Absence / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid