- Individuals with autism spectrum disorder have a significantly higher risk of Parkinson's disease.
- The nationwide cohort study in Sweden followed 2.28 million individuals from age 20 through 2022.
- ASD was associated with a more than fourfold increased relative risk of PD.
- The study suggests a potential connection between early neurodevelopmental conditions and later-life neurodegeneration.
- Factors such as depression and antipsychotic exposure were evaluated as potential contributing factors.
- The findings emphasize the need for further research to understand the association between ASD and PD.
- The study used national medical, birth, and prescription registers for detailed tracking and adjustment for potential confounders.
Source: JAMA Neurology
