The relationship between regression in autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and atypical epileptiform EEGs: A meta-analytic review

Background The strength of the relationship between epilepsy and regression in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been much discussed but is currently unclear. Methods The authors conducted 2 meta-analyses of published studies to determine if children with ASD who experience regression (ASD-R) epile...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of intellectual & developmental disability 2017-01, Vol.42 (1), p.45-60
Main Authors: Barger, Brian D., Campbell, Jonathan, Simmons, Christina
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autism
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Children
Clinical Diagnosis
Comparative Analysis
Developmental Disabilities
Diagnostic Tests
Drug Therapy
Electroencephalography
Epilepsy
epileptiform EEG
Meta Analysis
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
Probability
regression
Skills
Symptoms (Individual Disorders)
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Summary:Background The strength of the relationship between epilepsy and regression in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been much discussed but is currently unclear. Methods The authors conducted 2 meta-analyses of published studies to determine if children with ASD who experience regression (ASD-R) epilepsy are more likely to have epilepsy or atypical epileptiform electroencephalograms (aeEEG) compared to individuals with ASD and no regression history (ASD-NR). Results Children with ASD-R were more likely to have epilepsy and atypical aeEEG compared to individuals with ASD-NR. Odds ratio (OR) analyses indicated minor increases in odds of aeEEG regression for ASD-R compared to ASD-NR, OR = 1.29, 95% CI [1.09, 1.52], and small increased odds of reported epilepsy, OR = 1.59, 95% CI [1.31, 1.95], for the ASD-R compared to the ASD-NR group. The operational definition of epilepsy affected reported odds of aeEEG, but not reported epilepsy. The likelihood of aeEEG in children with ASD-R was also moderated by the medication status of participants or whether participants had received sleep EEGs. Across analyses, regression definitions, sample type, diagnostic systems, diagnostic instruments, and source of regression history were unrelated to group differences. Conclusions Altogether, this study indicates that the relationship between regression and epilepsy or aeEEG is relatively weak.
ISSN:1366-8250
1469-9532
1469-9532
DOI:10.3109/13668250.2016.1208812