Autism Linked to Increased Risk of Early-Onset ParkinsonS Disease
A new study reveals that individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face a significantly higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease at a younger age. While the exact cause remains unclear, researchers suspect a potential connection to disruptions within the brain’s dopamine system.
Researchers at the Karolinska Institute conducted a thorough study using registry data from over two million individuals born in Sweden between 1974 and 1999. Participants where monitored from age 20 until the end of 2022 to determine if a correlation exists between autism spectrum disorders and the early onset of Parkinson’s disease, a condition that impairs movement.
The findings indicated that individuals with autism were four times more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease compared to those without an autism diagnosis. This connection persisted even after accounting for factors such as socioeconomic status and a family history of mental illness or Parkinson’s disease.
The Dopamine Connection
Researchers believe that shared biological mechanisms may underlie both autism spectrum disorders and Parkinson’s disease.
The hypothesis is that the brain’s dopamine system is affected in both cases as the neurotransmitter dopamine is vital for both social behaviors and control of movements.
Weiyao Yin, researcher at the Karolinska Institute
It is well-established that Parkinson’s disease involves the breakdown of nerve cells that produce dopamine. Previous research suggests that dopamine may also play a role in autism, although further inquiry is needed to confirm this.
According to Yin, We hope that the study’s results will eventually help to create increased clarity in the underlying causes for both autism spectrum conditions and Parkinson’s disease.
Medication Considerations
Depression and the use of antidepressant medications are more common among individuals with autism, as is the use of antipsychotic drugs known to cause Parkinson’s-like symptoms. When researchers adjusted for these factors,the association between autism spectrum disorders and Parkinson’s disease weakened,but the risk remained doubled.
The Importance of Long-Term Monitoring
The researchers emphasized that their analysis focused solely on early-onset Parkinson’s disease, defined as occurring before age 50. The participants’ average age at the study’s conclusion was 34, resulting in a very low overall incidence of the disease. Future studies are needed to determine whether the increased risk persists with advancing age.
Sven Sandin, a statistician and epidemiologist at the Karolinska Institute, stated:
It is important that healthcare services follow up on people with autism spectrum conditions in the long term – a vulnerable group with high comorbidity and high use of psychotropic drugs. Simultaneously occurring, it is indeed critically important to remember that a Parkinson’s diagnosis before the age of 50 is very unusual, even for people with autism.
Sven Sandin,statistician and epidemiologist at the Karolinska Institute
Frequently Asked Questions
Scientific Article: Risk of parkinson Disease in Individuals With Autism spectrum Disorder, JAMA Neurology.
