Study: Higher rates of parkinsonism among older adults with autism
Middle-aged and older adults with autism are more likely to have co-occurring parkinsonism than adults without autism or intellectual disability, according to a new study led by George Washington University researchers in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences.
A recent study conducted by researchers at George Washington University reveals that older adults with autism are more likely to suffer from parkinsonism compared to those without autism or intellectual disabilities. Parkinsnonism is a clinical syndrome that manifests motor symptoms akin to Parkinson's disease. The research team, led by Professor Greg Wallace, analyzed health care data from nearly 57 million people aged 45 and older, comparing the prevalence and incidence of parkinsonism among individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, or both, to a control group.
The findings indicate that 3.83% of adults with autism, 4.32% of those with intellectual disabilities, and 4.86% of those with both conditions exhibited co-occurring parkinsonism, compared to 1.57% in the control group. This elevated rate persisted even after accounting for medications associated with drug-induced parkinsonism. The study underscores the necessity for clinicians to establish baseline motor skills assessments in adults with autism and intellectual disabilities to monitor and track potential motor challenges over time.
Further research is needed to understand the factors contributing to higher parkinsonism rates among these populations.
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