title: Interictal epileptiform activity and autism.
abstract: Many individuals with autism have epileptiform discharges on their EEG without having definite clinical seizures. The clinical significance of epileptiform activity in patients with autism is controversial. Some consider it an epiphenomenon of the underlying condition that should be ignored, and others believe that frequent spikes may contribute to the cognitive impairment and advocate treatment. Several studies have reported variable rates of epileptiform activity and variable response to treatment. There is an urgent need to conduct controlled clinical trials to assess the true incidence of epileptiform activity in children with autism, develop a risk assessment model, and study the effectiveness of treatment. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Autism and Epilepsy".
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, USA; Progressive Neurology, 260 Old Hook Rd, Suite 200, Westwood, NJ 07675, USA. Electronic address: gghacibeh@progressiveneurology.com.
authors.forename: Georges A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ghacibeh
authors.affiliation: Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, USA; Progressive Neurology, 260 Old Hook Rd, Suite 200, Westwood, NJ 07675, USA.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fields
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans
keywords: Autism; Cognitive impairment; Interictal epileptiform discharges; Spikes