Epilepsy in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Pathophysiological basis and clinical hallmarks

We provide an overview on the current knowledge about the association between epilepsy and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). People with T1DM have a 2–6-fold higher risk of epilepsy than the general population. The onset of T1DM anticipates the onset of epilepsy by a mean period between 1,5 and 2,8 years. These two disorders share four potential distinct pathogenic factors: a) genetic predisposition; b) factors involved in autoimmune responses (i.e. anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies-GADAbs); c) effects of hypo/hyperglycaemia; d) cerebrovascular damages resulting in ischaemic processes.