Study Reveals No Connection Between Autism and Cognitive Decline in Aging

Recent research from University College London (UCL) challenges previous assumptions regarding the relationship between autism and age-related cognitive decline. The study, published in The Gerontologist, indicates that older individuals exhibiting autistic traits do not show a greater decline in spatial working memory compared to their neurotypical counterparts.

Spatial working memory is a crucial cognitive function that aids individuals in remembering the location and arrangement of items, which is vital for tasks involving navigation and organization. While cognitive decline in spatial working memory is often observed during the aging process, especially in conditions like Alzheimer's disease, this new study suggests that autistic individuals may not be at an increased risk for such decline.

The research analyzed data from 10,060 participants aged 50 and older from the UK PROTECT study, who were assessed for autistic traits such as difficulties in social communication and repetitive behaviors. Among the cohort, 1.5% were identified as having high levels of autistic traits, aligning with broader autism prevalence rates.

Utilizing growth mixture modeling, researchers studied how participants' spatial working memory evolved over a seven-year period. The results revealed that both autistic individuals and those without autistic traits maintained their cognitive abilities over time, indicating no significant difference in the risk of cognitive decline in this area.

Professor Joshua Stott from UCL's Psychology & Language Sciences highlighted the importance of understanding autism as a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by unique cognitive profiles. Given the increasing global focus on preventing cognitive decline and dementia, there have been heightened concerns regarding whether neurodevelopmental disorders like autism influence the risk of age-related cognitive decline.

Stott emphasized that their findings provide reassurance, suggesting that autistic individuals do not face a higher risk of cognitive deterioration compared to neurotypical individuals. However, he acknowledged the need for further research to explore other dimensions of cognitive decline and dementia risk in the broader community, rather than relying solely on healthcare records.

Previous studies have indicated a potential increase in dementia rates among older adults with autism, but these investigations often relied on healthcare records, which may not accurately reflect the autistic population due to low diagnostic rates among older adults. This means that many individuals with autism may go undiagnosed, skewing results.

Dr. Gavin Stewart, senior author of the study and a fellow at King's College London, pointed out the necessity of understanding how aging interacts with autism. As aging can bring various health and cognitive changes, it is crucial to determine whether autistic individuals experience different aging patterns compared to their non-autistic peers. This study offers comforting evidence that certain cognitive aspects may change similarly across both groups.

Future research is encouraged to examine individuals over extended periods and across a broader age range to gain deeper insights into memory changes. Additionally, studies should include participants who meet formal diagnostic criteria for autism to validate these findings.

It is important to note some limitations of the study: the sample primarily consisted of individuals who could access the internet, which may not represent all older adults in the UK. Furthermore, the assessment for autistic traits mainly focused on social and communication challenges, potentially overlooking other autism-related behaviors that could influence results. The demographic composition of the participants was predominantly white, suggesting that findings may not be applicable to diverse ethnic backgrounds.