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A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
Published on: July 12, 2021
Febrile Seizures and Epilepsy: Association With Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders in the Child and
Christopher Gillberg1, Sebastian Lundström2, Elisabeth Fernell3
1Gillberg Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Surrey, UK; Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
Insights
Febrile seizures in children are linked to a higher rate of early symptomatic syndromes eliciting neurodevelopmental clinical examinations (ESSENCE). This suggests febrile seizures may indicate a broader neurodevelopmental profile.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Genetics and Twin Studies
Background:
- Childhood epilepsy is linked to Early Symptomatic Syndromes Eliciting Neurodevelopmental Clinical Examinations (ESSENCE).
- The association between febrile seizures and ESSENCE is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of ESSENCE in children with febrile seizures and epilepsy.
- To explore the relationship between febrile seizures and ESSENCE, considering epilepsy as a potential confounder.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Swedish Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS) involving 27,092 twins.
- Parents were interviewed using a DSM-IV-based assessment for ESSENCE.
- Diagnoses of febrile seizures and epilepsy were confirmed via the Swedish National Patient Register.
Main Results:
- Individuals with febrile seizures and epilepsy showed significantly higher rates of ESSENCE compared to the general twin population.
- A significant association persisted between febrile seizures and autism spectrum disorder, developmental coordination disorder, and intellectual disability, even after adjusting for epilepsy.
- Earlier onset of febrile seizures or epilepsy was not consistently associated with ESSENCE phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Childhood epilepsy and febrile seizures are associated with an increased prevalence of ESSENCE.
- Febrile seizures may serve as a potential marker for a wider ESSENCE phenotype in children.
Background:
There is a recently well-documented association between childhood epilepsy and earlysymptomaticsyndromeselicitingneurodevelopmentalclinicalexaminations (ESSENCE) including autism spectrum disorder, but the relationship between febrile seizures and ESSENCE is less clear.
Methods:
The Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS) is an ongoing population-based study targeting twins born in Sweden since July 1, 1992. Parents of 27,092 twins were interviewed using a validated DSM-IV-based interview for ESSENCE, in connection with the twins' ninth or twelfth birthday. Diagnoses of febrile seizures (n = 492) and epilepsy (n = 282) were based on data from the Swedish National Patient Register. Prevalence of ESSENCE in individuals with febrile seizures and epilepsy was compared with prevalence in the twin population without seizures. The association between febrile seizures and ESSENCE was considered before and after adjustment for epilepsy. Age of diagnosis of febrile seizures and epilepsy was considered as a possible correlate of ESSENCE in febrile seizures and epilepsy.
Results:
The rate of ESSENCE in febrile seizures and epilepsy was significantly higher than in the total population without seizures (all P < 0.001). After adjusting for epilepsy, a significant association between febrile seizures and autism spectrum disorder, developmental coordination disorder, and intellectual disability remained. Earlier age of onset was associated with all ESSENCE except attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in epilepsy but not with ESSENCE in febrile seizures.
Conclusions:
In a nationally representative sample of twins, there was an increased rate of ESSENCE in childhood epilepsy and in febrile seizures. Febrile seizures alone could occur as a marker for a broader ESSENCE phenotype.
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