Autistic epileptiform regression.
Autistic regression is a well known condition that occurs in one third of children with pervasive developmental disorders, who, after normal development in the first year of life, undergo a global regression during the second year that encompasses language, social skills and play. In a portion of these subjects, epileptiform abnormalities are present with or without seizures, resembling, in some respects, other epileptiform regressions of language and behaviour such as Landau-Kleffner syndrome. In these cases, for a more accurate definition of the clinical entity, the term autistic epileptifom regression has been suggested. As in other epileptic syndromes with regression, the relationships between EEG abnormalities, language and behaviour, in autism, are still unclear. We describe two cases of autistic epileptiform regression selected from a larger group of children with autistic spectrum disorders, with the aim of discussing the clinical features of the condition, the therapeutic approach and the outcome.
Canitano
Roberto
R
Division of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, General University Hospital of Siena, Italy. R.Canitano@ao-siena.toscana.it
Zappella
Michele
M
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018887:Landau-Kleffner Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D012919:Social Behavior; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid