title: Epilepsy and autism spectrum disorders: are there common developmental mechanisms?
abstract: Autistic spectrum disorders (ASD) and epilepsies are heterogeneous disorders that have diverse etiologies and pathophysiologies. The high rate of co-occurrence of these disorders suggest potentially shared underlying mechanisms. A number of well-known genetic disorders share epilepsy and autism as prominent phenotypic features, including tuberous sclerosis, Rett syndrome, and fragile X. In addition, mutations of several genes involved in neurodevelopment, including ARX, DCX, neuroligins and neuropilin2 have been identified in children with epilepsy, ASD or often both. Finally, in animal models, early-life seizures can result in cellular and molecular changes that could contribute to learning and behavioral disabilities as seen in ASD. Increased understanding of the common genetic, molecular and cellular mechanisms of ASD and epilepsy may provide insight into their underlying pathophysiology and elucidate new therapeutic approaches of both conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine, The Children's Hospital Denver, 13123 E 16th Avenue, B155, Aurora, CO 80045, United States. brooks-kayal.amy@tchden.org
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brooks-Kayal
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D039943:Neuropilin-2 / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C469264:ARX protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D039943:Neuropilin-2; D014157:Transcription Factors