Should Epilepsy Surgery Be Used in the Treatment of Autistic Regression

Autistic regression (AR) is one of the entities of the autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), a group of developmental disorders of brain function that present with core deficits in social interactions, in verbal and nonverbal communication, and with restricted and/or repetitive behaviors or interests, in the setting of mental retardation (1). In AR a de novo appearance of autistic symptoms is identified between the ages of 2 and 3 years, at which time children are noted to display a regression in language, play, and social skills. Its cause (like those of other forms of ASD) remains unknown. The prevalence of epilepsy in children with ASD and AR has been estimated at 30% by the time they reach adolescence (2–7). Interictal epileptiform activity has been identified in 27% of routine EEG studies and in up to 50% of overnight EEG studies (7). One study