Previously, researchers have established a connection between ADHD and Parkinson’s disease, and now, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, have shown that individuals with autism statistically run an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease before the age of 50. The study has been published in the scientific journal JAMA Neurology and is based on data from more than two million people born in Sweden between 1974 and 1999. Participants were followed from the age of 20 until year 2022.
Four Times Higher Risk
The research group was particularly interested in determining whether autism could be statistically associated with an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease early in life, and they discovered that the risk of developing the disease was four times higher in individuals with autism compared to neurotypicals (=people without autism)! And the link between autism and Parkinson’s could be demonstrated even when researchers controlled for factors such as heredity for mental illness and Parkinson’s disease, as well as socioeconomic status.
Risk Remained Higher
Since it’s already known that the consumption of antidepressants and antipsychotic medication is not uncommon among individuals with autism, the research group investigated whether the association between Parkinson’s disease and autism remained when adjusting for these factors. It turned out that the association actually decreased! However, the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease was still twice as high in individuals with autism compared to neurotypicals, even in cases where the individual with autism was not taking antipsychotic or antidepressant medication.
May Have to Do with Dopamine
Since the researchers only investigated early onset of Parkinson’s disease, they do not currently know what the risk profile looks like for individuals with autism who are older than 50. The risk of an individual with autism developing Parkinson’s disease at a young age was also always low, even though it was higher than in neurotypicals! The researchers believe that the link between autism and Parkinson’s disease may have to do with dopamine cells. It is known that dopamine cells break down in patients with Parkinson’s disease, and they suspect that the social challenges experienced by individuals with autism could also be related to the dopamine system. However, more research is needed to confirm this!
I’m Not Overly Concerned
I always find it sad to learn that as someone with autism, I run an increased risk of developing illnesses and even premature death, but at the same time, it’s important to remember that the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease is still very low for us individuals with autism! Even though, compared to neurotypicals, we run an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, it doesn’t mean that the risk is high, and the majority of us will never develop the condition. Therefore, I’m not particularly worried!
Diet May Be Important
In addition, the researchers believe that Parkinson’s disease can potentially be reduced through lifestyle factors such as the intake of Vitamin C and E! So, I hope I can at least to some extent prevent Parkinson’s by eating a nutrient-rich diet. It would also be interesting to know whether the link between Parkinson’s disease and autism remains even when taking lifestyle factors and diet into account. Those of us on the spectrum often have limited energy and may not always be able to eat healthily and nutritiously or exercise, but it’s difficult to say how much these factors can affect the outcome!
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