**3. What is the rate of epilepsy in ASD?**

The rate of epilepsy in ASD has long been reported, but prevalence estimates vary from as little as 5% to as much as 46% [1].

### **4. Is there any connection between autism and epilepsy?**

The complex relationship between autism and epilepsy, as reflected in the autism–epilepsy phenotype, provides a bridge to further knowledge of shared neuronal networks for both the autisms and the epilepsies.

The autisms and epilepsies are heterogeneous disorders that have diverse etiologies and pathologies. Some epilepsy syndromes and specific genetic factors involved in those syndromes are associated with a high risk of ASD. For example, patients with tuberous sclerosis, especially TSC2 mutations, Dravet syndrome, caused by mutations in SCN1A, and epilepsy in females mentally challenged or EFMR, found to be auxiliary to PCDH19 mutations that increase the chance to have autistic like features [7].

The increased prevalence of epilepsy and/or epileptiform discharges in individuals with ASD may be an important sign for an underlying neurological abnormality. Until recently, reported rates of interictal epileptiform discharges varied from 6 to 30% of ASD patients. But higher rates of isolated epileptifom EEGs have been reported recently and one study of children referred for video EEG monitoring to evaluate possible seizures found interictal epileptiform abnormalities in 59% [1].

The correlation between ASD and epilepsy suggests an underlying encephalopathy presenting with a combination of neurologic abnormalities.

#### **5. Conceptual framework between autism and epilepsy**

Autism includes heterogeneous conditions that affect the developmental trajectory of social cognition and verbal and non-verbal communication. Repetitive behaviors and narrow interests are characteristic of individuals with autism.

The commonly used terms Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) to incorporate children with autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorders not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) and those with Asperger disorder (AS). Children with disintegrative disorder (DD) and Rett disorder (RS) are too included beneath the umbrella term of PDD but have features, particularly when examining the relationship of epilepsy to autism, that recognize them from children with AD, PDD-NOS, and AS. With the exemption of RS, these disorders are all behaviorally characterized and most recent studies utilize the term autism interchangeably with that of ASD to incorporate children with AD, PDD-NOS, AS, and DD, but not RS [8].

There's no single no single etiology for autism or for epilepsy. Both are associated with change in behavior, cognitive, and variable outcomes.

#### **6. Genetics of autism**

Autism is not a disease but a syndrome with multiple non-genetic and genetic causes.

#### *Review in Autism and Epilepsy DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.93424*

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSMIV-TR)7 and International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10).

(The autistic spectrum disorders [ASDs]), characterized by impairments in 3 behavioral domains:

1.Social interaction.

2.Language, communication, and imaginative play and

3.Range of interests and activities [9].

A number of approaches are being used to elucidate the association between specific genes and autism.
