Impact of epilepsy and antiepileptic medications on the metabolic profile in adults with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities

Epilepsy is common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities (ID). Antiepileptic medications, such as valproic acid (VPA), were associated with changes in BMI, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia. This study aimed to investigate how epilepsy and antiepileptic treatments affect BMI, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and total cholesterol of individuals with ASD or ID. Data on epilepsy diagnoses, treatment with VPA, carbamazepine or other antiepileptics, BMI, FBG, and total cholesterol levels were obtained from the medical charts of 80 adults with ASD and 77 adults with ID and analyzed using appropriate statistical tools. Participants with epilepsy had lower BMI and FBG than participants without epilepsy (BMI: 23.18 ± 5.43 vs. 25.61± 5.74 kg/m2, respectively, F=6.64, d.f.=1.140; P=0.011, FBG: 72.53± 11.26 vs. 79.98± 14.64 mg/dl, respectively, F=10.46, d.f.=1.135 P=0.002). Those treated with VPA had lower total cholesterol levels compared with those untreated (156.56± 26.13 vs. 172.42 ±33.82 mg/dl, respectively, F=7.44, d.f.=1.150; P=0.007), but did not differ in BMI and FBG. Individuals with ASD or ID, and epilepsy were leaner and had lower FBG than those without epilepsy. In addition, total cholesterol levels were lower in VPA-treated participants than in untreated ones, but BMI and FBG levels were similar.