Mortality in individuals with autism, with and without epilepsy

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Public Health
• Biomedical Research

Background:

• Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit higher mortality rates compared to the general population.
• Epilepsy comorbidity is a suspected, yet poorly defined, contributor to increased mortality in individuals with ASD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze mortality rates in individuals with autism, with a specific focus on the impact of comorbid epilepsy.
• To highlight the necessity of accurate and accessible cause-of-death records for autism research and risk factor identification.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from the Autism Tissue Program, including brain donors with autism and epilepsy.
• Examination of new data from the California State Department of Developmental Services.

Main Results:

• Approximately one-third of brain donors with autism in the Autism Tissue Program also had epilepsy.
• New data analysis confirms a higher-than-expected mortality rate in individuals with both autism and epilepsy compared to those with autism alone.

Conclusions:

• Comorbidity with epilepsy significantly increases mortality risk in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
• Improved cause-of-death documentation is essential for advancing research into early mortality factors in ASD and informing public health initiatives.