Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2025
A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
Published on: July 31, 2017
Electroencephalographic aspects and phenotypic characteristics in children with autism
Alexandru Capisizu1,2, Leon Zăgrean2, Adriana Sorina Capisizu3
1Dr. Constantin Gorgos Psychiatry Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.
Insights
Electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities are present in over 10% of children with autism, often correlating with specific phenotypic traits and co-occurring conditions like epilepsy. These findings highlight EEG
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Neurology
Background:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with increasing global prevalence.
- Electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities in children with ASD are linked to more severe clinical presentations.
- Understanding these EEG patterns is crucial for improved diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of EEG abnormalities in children diagnosed with autism.
- To identify specific phenotypic characteristics associated with EEG abnormalities in this population.
- To assess the clinical relevance and correlations of these findings for patient management.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 101 children with autism.
- Inclusion of clinical and neurological examinations.
- Performance of wake electroencephalography (EEG) recordings.
Main Results:
- 10.89% of children with autism exhibited EEG abnormalities.
- Epileptic discharges (18.18%) and non-epileptic abnormalities (81.81%) were observed.
- Associated phenotypic traits included positive family history (45.45%), dysmorphic features (63.63%), and gait disturbance (27.27%).
Conclusions:
- A significant subset of children with autism presents with EEG abnormalities and diverse phenotypic traits.
- Identifying EEG abnormalities aids in clinical decision-making for managing co-occurring conditions such as epilepsy.
- Noninvasive tools like EEG and neurological exams are valuable for comprehensive autism case management.
Abstract:
Autism is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder that affects many individuals around the world, with a constantly increasing prevalence. The association between autism and electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities in children suggests a worse evolution of clinical features. A retrospective study was conducted, including 101 children with autism who underwent clinical and neurological examination and wake electroencephalography. This study aimed to examine EEG abnormalities in children with autism, identify phenotypic characteristics associated with these abnormalities, asses their clinical relevance, and determine potential phenotypic correlations. The results showed that 10.89% of the patients in the study presented EEG abnormalities, similar to those of other studies that used wake EEG. Of these patients, 18.18% presented epileptic-type discharges, such as spike and wave complexes, and 81.81% presented non-epileptic-type abnormalities, such as bursts of slow waves, generalized or focal. Regarding the phenotypic profile of the patients with EEG abnormalities, 45.45% had a positive family history, 63.63% presented with dysmorphic features and 27.27% presented with gait disturbance. This study shows that some children with autism present multiple EEG abnormalities and diverse phenotypic traits in terms of personal and family history, dysmorphic features, and neurological examination. Identifying EEG abnormalities can improve clinical decisions with complex treatment and monitoring of co-occurring conditions like epilepsy. The use of accessible, effective, and noninvasive assessment tools, such as EEG recordings and neurological examinations in children with autism, can provide valuable support for improved case management.
