Acquired Variant of Rett’s Disorder and Response to Lamotrigine

Layperson Summary:

Lamotrigine may help with some of the mood, behavior, and social problems that can be symptoms of autism.

Although Rett's Disorder is normally a genetic syndrome, this letter describes a 5-year-old girl who acquired the symptoms of Rett Syndrome after an infection. After the brain fever (encephalitis), the girl acquired many of the symptoms of autism, but she did not have seizures. The doctors gave her lamotrigine and found that she had less hand flapping and other autistic behaviors. While the lamotrigine is normally given to help with seizures, other studies have shown that it can help with social behavior, temper tantrums, and emotional problems. For these reasons, lamotrigine is sometimes prescribed to people with autism or people with epilepsy who have symptoms of autism.

Scientific Abstract