Epilepsy and epileptiform EEG: association with autism and language disorders

Ment Retard Dev Disabil Res Rev. 2000;6(4):300-8. doi: 10.1002/1098-2779(2000)6:4<300::AID-MRDD9>3.0.CO;2-R.

Abstract

The relationship between epilepsy, language, behavior, and cognition is not well understood. Developmental and acquired disabilities such as autistic spectrum disorders, Landau-Kleffner Syndrome, electrical status epilepticus in sleep, and developmental dysphasias have been associated with epileptiform abnormalities. These disorders share many common features and raise important questions regarding this intricate relationship. This article reviews these disorders and discusses the proposed interaction between epileptiform abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction. Diagnostic and treatment issues will also be reviewed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / complications*
  • Autistic Disorder / pathology
  • Autistic Disorder / physiopathology
  • Brain / abnormalities
  • Brain / pathology
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Electroencephalography / psychology
  • Electroencephalography / statistics & numerical data
  • Epilepsy / complications*
  • Epilepsy / pathology
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Landau-Kleffner Syndrome / complications
  • Landau-Kleffner Syndrome / pathology
  • Landau-Kleffner Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Language Disorders / complications*
  • Language Disorders / pathology
  • Language Disorders / physiopathology
  • Regression, Psychology
  • Sleep / physiology
  • Status Epilepticus / complications
  • Status Epilepticus / pathology
  • Status Epilepticus / physiopathology