Seizures & EEG Abnormalities in Autism: Clinical Significance & Implications for Treatment
Seizures of differing varieties are frequently associated with autism spectrum disorder, ASD. 30-40% of patients with ASD may have clinical seizures and on anticonvulsants. Many more exhibit or experience episodic behavioral and other activity suggestive of paroxysmal dysfunction in brain electrical activity: agitation, attentional and focus problems, sudden outbursts, mood swings; and invountary movements such as flailing, jeking and twitching.
Signs and symptoms of ASD suggest problems in brain signal processing and output from abnormalities in neurochemical and electrical function. These may be reflected in the electroencephalogram, EEG. EEG is objective indication of brain electrical activity, measured through electrodes placed on the skull. However, a “normal” EEG does not necessarily indicate there is not an electrical problem as episodes, such as seizures and other abnormal electrical activity may be episodic, occurring intermittently and not caught on a routine 30-45 minute recording. If abnormal brain electrical discharges are suspected as basis for episodic clinical symptoms, a 72-hour ambulatory EEG should be considered.
The author will present his clnical experience as a neurologist evaluating 30 consecutive ASD patients, age 2-25, with EEG monitoring. All had abnormal baseline EEG’s; 60% with epileptiform characteristics. All baseline EEG’s showed varying degrees of improvement within 5 minutes of Direct EffectsTM cannabidiol, CBD, cream application at back of neck.Over 85% patients showed improvement in clinical symptoms and behavior within 10-15 minutes after CBD and continued therapy long term. Some patients required addition of a systemic cannabinoid while others needed to also remain on tradtional pharmaceuticals.
A case presentation outlining the importance of EEG in evaluating ASD symptoms will be presented.
Ronald Aung-Din, MD
Dr. Ronald Aung-Din practices General Neurology & Neuro-Psychiatry in Sarasota, FL. He is board-certified by American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology; and member, American Academy of Neurology.
After studies in Mechanical and Environmental Engineering at Bucknell (Lewisburg, PA) and Cornell (Ithaca, NY) Universities, he worked for a period as an engineer. He then attended Columbia University in New York City for Premedical studies, followed by Medical School at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, TX. Residencies in Neurology and Neurosurgery were at University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Additional studies included a Medical Student Fellowship in Cardiology at Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford and Clinical Neurology Postgraduate Fellowship at National Hospital for Nervous Disease, Queen Square, London, UK.
Through affiliation with Lovelace Scientific Resources, Inc., Albuquerque, NM and his own clinical practice, he has participated in over 60 pharmaceutical industry-sponsored clinical trials. He currently functions as Principal Investigator in a number of ongoing drug research studies in MS, epilepsy, pain, Parkinson’s disease; and other neurological and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Aung-Din is also active in treating varied conditions using delivery of neuro-active drugs with Direct Effects Therapy, a technology developed by him for which 8 patents have to date been granted in the United States, Europe, and Australia; with others pending.
Publications using this novel therapy in migraine, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetic neuropathy appeared in Drug Delivery Technology, Vol.10. No 8, p. 48, October 2010 and Drug Delivery Technology, Vol. 9. No 9, p. 44, October 2009, www.drugdeliverytech.com; and in June 2015 www.drug-dev.com: “THERAPEUTIC FOCUS - Direct Effects(TM) Diabetic Neuropathy Therapy: Treating Symptoms & Modifying Disease.” Publications on the use of cannabinoids also appeared in June 2016 and May 2017 issues of DDT.
Direct Effects Therapy is unique in that therapeutic effect occurs through cutaneous free-nerve endings with direct afferent connections to CNS. As such, general circulation and blood-brain-barrier are bypassed, with avoidance of systemic side effects and drug interactions. Therapeutic benefits are also frequently realized within a short period, less than 15 minutes. AfGin Pharma, LLC was founded by Dr. Aung-Din in 2009 to advance this unique technology and its goal of “Enhanced Neuro-Therapeutics through Direct Effects Topical Technology;” website: afginpharma.com.
