Abstracts

Rationale: This study sought to determine if an underlying variation in autoimmunity differentiates non-genetic idiopathic/acquired epilepsies from known genetic-type epilepsies in childhood. Methods: At the time of submission, 7 subjects (5 M, 2 F; avg age 4.30 yrs; range 1.54-7.92) with genetic epilepsies (juvenile myoclonic, n=4; benign focal, n=2; absence, n=1) had enrolled. 16 subjects (8 M, 8 F; avg age 5.59 yrs; range 0.66-18.11) with idiopathic/acquired epilepsies (immunization reaction, n=6; febrile seizures, n=2; Lennox-Gastaut, n=5; infantile spasms, n=3; other brain insult, n=3) had enrolled. Serum was analyzed for the presence of anti-capillary antibodies (IgG or IgM) by immunostaining of human temporal cortex and antinuclear autoantibodies. Results: 12/16 (75%) children with idiopathic/acquired epilepsies showed positive immunostaining (9/16 IgG staining; 7/16 IgM staining), while only 2/7 (29%) children with genetic epilepsies showed positive immunostaining (0/7 IgG staining; 2/7 IgM staining). The presence of autoantibodies was statistically significant in children with idiopathic/acquired versus genetic epilepsies [t(21)=-1.949, p=.037]. In particular, IgG antibodies were present significantly more often in children with idiopathic/acquired epilepsies [t(21)=-2.867, p=.009]. Conclusions: This research demonstrates a significantly higher presence of anti-capillary autoantibody formation in serum from children with non-genetic-type epilepsies. These findings demand the exploration of autoimmune mechanisms to elucidate the etiology of idiopathic and acquired seizure disorders of childhood.