Common developmental condition linked to higher risk of Parkinson’s-related disorders
A large US study found that adults aged 45 and over with autism or intellectual disability were more likely to have a diagnosis of parkinsonism than people without those conditions. The findings suggest that movement problems emerging later in life may not be explained solely by lifelong motor differences or by antipsychotic medication, and could help clinicians monitor changes over time.
Researchers analysed Medicare and Medicaid claims for nearly 57 million people from 2017 to 2019, excluding those who had taken antipsychotics. Parkinsonism was recorded in about 1.57% of the general population, compared with 3.83% of adults with autism, 4.32% with intellectual disability and 4.86% with both. The study used insurance diagnosis codes, which may contain errors, and the association does not mean that an autistic person will develop Parkinson’s disease.
In short
- Older adults with autism had higher rates of parkinsonism diagnoses.
- Rates were highest among people with both autism and intellectual disability.
- The findings show an association, not certainty of developing Parkinson’s.
Explained simply
Autism is a lifelong developmental condition that can affect communication, social interaction and behaviour. Intellectual disability begins during development and can affect learning and everyday skills. Some people have both conditions.
Parkinsonism is a term for movement problems such as stiffness, slowed movement or tremor; it can have several causes. Parkinson’s disease is one cause, but the terms do not mean the same thing. Antipsychotic medicines can also cause movement problems.
The reported study compared health insurance records for older US adults with and without autism or intellectual disability. Its findings describe a higher rate of recorded parkinsonism in the groups with these conditions, but do not show that either condition causes it or predict what will happen to any individual.