Treatment Resistant Epilepsy in Autism Spectrum Disorder: Increased Risk for Females

Karen Blackmon, Judith Bluvstein, William S. Macallister, Jennifer Avallone, Jade Misajon, Julie Hedlund, Rina Goldberg, Aviva Bojko, Nirmala Mitra, Radha Giridharan, Richard Sultan, Seth Keller, Orrin Devinsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The male:female ratio in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) averages greater than 4:1 while the male:female ratio of ASD with epilepsy averages less than 3:1. This indicates an elevated risk of epilepsy in females with ASD; yet, it is unknown whether phenotypic features of epilepsy and ASD differ between males and females with this comorbidity. The goal of this study is to investigate sex differences in phenotypic features of epilepsy and ASD in a prospective sample of 130 children and young adults with an initial ASD diagnosis and subsequent epilepsy diagnosis. All participants were characterized by standardized diagnostic inventories, parent/caregiver completed questionnaires, and medical/academic record review. Diagnostic classifications of epilepsy, ASD, and intellectual disability were performed by board certified neurologists and a pediatric neuropsychologist. Results demonstrated a lower male:female ratio (1.8:1) in individuals with ASD and treatment-resistant epilepsy relative to those with ASD and treatment-responsive epilepsy (4.9:1), indicating a higher risk of treatment-resistant epilepsy in females. Mild neuroimaging abnormalities were more common in females than males and this was associated with increased risk of treatment-resistance. In contrast, ASD symptom severity was lower in females compared with males. Findings distinguish females with ASD and epilepsy as a distinct subgroup at higher risk for a more severe epilepsy phenotype in the context of a less severe ASD phenotype. Increased risk of anti-epileptic treatment resistance in females with ASD and epilepsy suggests that comprehensive genetic, imaging, and neurologic screening and enhanced treatment monitoring may be indicated for this subgroup. Autism Res 2016, 9: 311-320.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)311-320
Number of pages10
JournalAutism Research
Volume9
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Complex autism
  • Copy-number variants
  • Developmental disorders
  • Epilepsy
  • Female protective model
  • Idiopathic autism
  • Sex differences

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