The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders [ASD] in epilepsy is approximately 20%-32%, with
previous research reporting high rates of under-diagnosis of ASD in epilepsy. Current psychological
assessments were adapted to provide epilepsy-specific measures of behaviour, which increased
validity by addressing specific methodological problems highlighted by several researchers. The
initial experiments provided a comprehensive investigation of autistic traits and characteristics in a
heterogeneous group of adults with epilepsy without any ASD diagnosis to quantify the extent to
which autistic characteristics are related to seizure activity. Adults with epilepsy showed higher
autistic traits and impaired social responsiveness while systemizing and empathising abilities
remained intact. Further, autistic traits and impaired social responsiveness increased again during
seizure activity. Social responsiveness positively correlated with anti-epileptic drug [AED] control.
Adults with epilepsy and seizure remission demonstrated significant improvements in restricted,
repetitive behaviours compared to adults with current epileptic seizures. Together, these results
demonstrate a relationship between seizure activity and autistic characteristics, and are consistent with
previous suggestions that AEDs may mask autistic characteristics. The impaired social skills and
communication are consistent with research suggesting that the pathogenesis of epilepsy may disrupt
social functioning. However, whether this can be directly attributed to social cognitive deficits
remains uncertain. The main research addresses this uncertainty by conducting three experiments to
assess the Somatic Marker Hypothesis and the mechanisms which underpin it. The rationale is to
establish whether this is a valid explanatory model for disrupted neurobiological factors implicated in
social cognitive processing. This hypothesis is appropriate for investigating adults with epilepsy,
some who may have developed typical social abilities in early life before epilepsy onset. Results from
the IOWA Gambling Task demonstrated that adults with epilepsy had impaired decision making
abilities compromising somatic marker formation, crucial for social cognition. However, this deficit
occurred in the absence of other socio-emotional and memory impairments. In conclusion, adults with
epilepsy have a higher rate of autistic characteristics, and their social difficulties may be associated
with compromised somatic marker formation. Future research needs to determine the heritability of
these autistic traits and characteristics.
Date of Award | 30 Nov 2012 |
---|
Original language | English |
---|
Awarding Institution | |
---|
Supervisor | Mark Brosnan (Supervisor) & Neal Hinvest (Supervisor) |
---|
- autism
- epilepsy
- autistic traits
- social cognition
- seizures
Autistic Characteristics in Adults with Epilepsy
Wakeford, S. (Author). 30 Nov 2012
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › PhD