Abstract
BackgroundAltered sensory sensitivity is generally linked to seizure-susceptibility in childhood epilepsy but may also be associated to the highly prevalent problems in behavioral adaptation. This association is further suggested by the frequent overlap of childhood epilepsy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conditions in which altered behavioral responses to sensory stimuli have been firmly established. A continuum of sensory processing defects due to imbalanced neuronal inhibition and excitation across these disorders has been hypothesizedthat may lead to common symptoms of inadequate modulation of behavioral responses to sensory stimuli. Here, we investigated the prevalence of sensory modulation disorders among children with epilepsy and their relation with symptomatology of neurodevelopmental disorders.MethodsWe used the Sensory Profile questionnaire to assess behavioral responses to sensory stimuli and categorize sensory modulation disorders in children with active epilepsy (aged 4–17 years). We related these outcomes to epilepsy characteristics and tested their association with comorbid symptoms of ASD (Social Responsiveness Scale) and ADHD (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire).ResultsSensory modulation disorders were reported in 49 % of the 158 children. Children with epilepsy reported increased behavioral responses associated with sensory “sensitivity,” “sensory avoidance,” and “poor registration” but not “sensory seeking.” Comorbidity of ASD and ADHD was associated with more severe sensory modulation problems, although 27 % of typically developing children with epilepsy also reported a sensory modulation disorder.ConclusionsSensory modulation disorders are an under-recognized problem in children with epilepsy. The extent of the modulation difficulties indicates a substantial burden on daily functioning and may explain an important part of the behavioral distress associated with childhood epilepsy.
Highlights
Altered sensory sensitivity is generally linked to seizure-susceptibility in childhood epilepsy but may be associated to the highly prevalent problems in behavioral adaptation
sensory modulation disorder (SMD) have been linked to an imbalance between neuronal excitation and inhibition [29,30,31,32,33], which is a key feature of epilepsy, being present both during and in between seizures [34]
We assumed that disordered sensory modulation might be a frequent problem in children with epilepsy which might contribute to behavioral distress and the behavioral problems observed in a significant number of children with epilepsy
Summary
Altered sensory sensitivity is generally linked to seizure-susceptibility in childhood epilepsy but may be associated to the highly prevalent problems in behavioral adaptation. This association is further suggested by the frequent overlap of childhood epilepsy with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conditions in which altered behavioral responses to sensory stimuli have been firmly established. As a first step to investigate the presence and role of sensory modulation in childhood epilepsy, we investigated (1) the prevalence of atypical behavioral responses to sensory stimuli and SMDs in children with epilepsy and (2) the association of these responses with comorbid symptoms of ASD and ADHD
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