Common developmental condition linked to higher risk of Parkinson's-related disorders

Older adults diagnosed with autism face a significantly higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease-related movement disorders compared to the general population, according to a large new study published in the journal Autism.Researchers analyzed Medicare and Medicaid claims data covering nearly 57 million Americans aged 45 and older between 2017 and 2019.Individuals on the spectrum, as well as those with intellectual disabilities, were diagnosed with parkinsonism at much higher rates than those without autism.HOW EATING HABITS COULD INFLUENCE PARKINSON’S DISEASE RISK, ACCORDING TO EXPERTSParkinsonism refers to a range of neurological conditions characterized by certain movement symptoms, including tremors, muscle rigidity, balance difficulties and slowed voluntary movement, according to the Parkinson’s Foundation.While earlier research suggested an overlap between autism and motor decline later in life, it was unclear whether those problems stemmed from the condition or from antipsychotic medications, which are widely known to trigger Parkinson’s-like symptoms as a secondary side effect.A nationwide study of nearly 57 million Americans aged 45 and older revealed that adults with autism and intellectual disabilities are diagnosed with Parkinson’s-related movement disorders at rates far exceeding those in the general population.(iStock)To determine whether medications explained the link, researchers excluded people who took antipsychotics from the analysis.

They still found higher rates of Parkinson’s-related diagnoses in neurodivergent populations.In the general population control group, the prevalence of parkinsonism was roughly 1.57%.The prevalence rose to 3.83% among adults with autism alone, 4.32% for those with an intellectual disability alone, and 4.86% among individuals diagnosed with both autism and an intellectual disability.PARKINSON’S PATIENT’S YEARS-LONG TREMOR VANISHES WITHIN MINUTES OF NEW ULTRASOUND TREATMENT"A critically important...