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Seizures and Epilepsy in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Frank M C Besag1, Michael J Vasey2
1East London NHS Foundation Trust, 5-7 Rush Court, Bedford MK40 3JT, UK; University College London, London, UK; King's College London, London, UK.
Abstract:
Epilepsy and autism frequently co-occur. Epilepsy confers an increased risk of autism and autism confers an increased risk of epilepsy. Specific epilepsy syndromes, intellectual disability, and female gender present a particular risk of autism in individuals with epilepsy. Epilepsy and autism are likely to share common etiologies, which predispose individuals to either or both conditions. Genetic factors, metabolic disorders, mitochondrial disorders, and immune dysfunction all can be implicated.
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