Comprehensive Description of Comorbidity for Autism Spectrum Disorder in a General Population

Autism and Dementia: A Summative Report from the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia

This article synthesizes findings, from the Autism/Dementia Work Group of the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia, on the nature of autism/autism spectrum disorder and later-age neuropathologies, particularly dementia. The convened group of experts explored genetic, neurobiological, and environmental risk factors that may affect the lifespan and lived experiences of older adults with autism. A review of current literature indicates a lack of comprehensive information on the demographics and factors associated with aging in autistic adults. However, our understanding of autism is evolving, challenging traditional views of it as a static, inherited neurodevelopmental disorder. The relationship between autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions-such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex-reflects the complex genetic landscape of neurodevelopmental disorders. These genetic and familial factors may contribute to progressive health challenges and cognitive decline in later life. Key findings reveal a complex link between autism and dementia, despite limited research on this relationship, particularly among older adults. The overall prevalence of dementia in this population appears to be influenced by co-occurring intellectual disabilities, particularly Down syndrome. While the association between autism and specific types of dementia is still not well understood, the reviewed evidence suggests a notable connection with frontotemporal dementia, although causality has not been established. Exploration of biomarkers may offer further insights. Currently, the relationship between autism, cognitive health, and cognitive decline in older adults remains a complex and underexplored area of research.

Groups and Subgroups in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Considering an Advanced Integrative Model (AIM)

BACKGROUND

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is related to social communication difficulties, repetitive behaviors, and highly restricted interests beginning early in life. Currently, ASD is more diagnosed than in the past, and new models are needed. The Advanced Integrative Model (AIM) is a new model in which genes and concomitant medical problems to diagnosis (CMPD) and the impact of their rigorous and adequate treatment are considered.

METHODS

The role of a dynamic encephalopathy from which the individual response, susceptibilities in the brain and outside the brain, gut barrier and brain-blood-barrier permeabilities, and the plastic nature of the brain is proposed as a tool for diagnosis. The concomitant medical problems (CMP) are those at and outside the brain. The individual response to treatments of CMP is analyzed.

RESULTS

The AIM allows for classification into 3 main groups and 24 subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

The groups and subgroups in ASD are obtained taking into account CMPD treatments and individual response.

Disruptions in reproductive health, sex hormonal profiles, and hypothalamic hormone receptors content in females of the C58/J mouse model of autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by differences in social communication and interaction, as well as areas of focused interests and/or repetitive behaviors. Recent studies have highlighted a higher prevalence of endocrine and reproductive disturbances among females on the autism spectrum, hinting at potential disruptions within the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary (HPO) axis. This research aims to explore the reproductive health disparities in ASD using an animal model of autism, the C58/J inbred mouse strain, with a focus on reproductive performance and hormonal profiles compared to the C57BL/6J control strain. Our findings revealed that the estrous cycle in C58/J females is disrupted, as evidenced by a lower frequency of complete cycles and a lack of cyclical release of estradiol and progesterone compared to control mice. C58/J females also exhibited poor performance in several reproductive parameters, including reproductive lifespan and fertility index. Furthermore, estrogen receptor alpha content showed a marked decrease in the hypothalamus of C58/J mice. These alterations in the estrous cycle, hormonal imbalances, and reduced reproductive function imply dysregulation in the HPO axis. Additionally, our in-silico study identified a group of genes involved in infertility carrying single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the C58/J strain, which also have human orthologs associated with autism. These findings could offer valuable insights into the molecular underpinnings of neuroendocrine axis disruption and reproductive issues observed in ASD.

Assessment of vulnerability dimensions considering Family History and environmental interplay in Autism Spectrum Disorder

BACKGROUND

Despite previous studies have recently shown Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) as having a strong genetics background, over a minimum environmental background, no study up to date has investigated the interplay between genetics and environment.

METHODS

We have collected data regarding Family History (FH) and Environmental Factors (EF) from 2,141 individuals with ASD and their caretakers throughout Brazil, based on an online questionnaire. Most of the ASD individuals were males (81%) and the average age was 02 years minimum for males and females, and the maximum age was 41 years for males and 54 for females. People from all states in Brazil have answered the questionnaire. Genetic inheritance was obtained based on the declared FH of Psychiatric and Neurological diagnosis. As for EF, exposure to risk factors during pregnancy was considered, like infections, diabetes, drugs/chemicals exposure, socioeconomic, and psychological factors. Respondents were invited to answer the questionnaire in lectures given throughout Brazil, and by the social networks of the NGO "The Tooth Fairy Project". A Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) was conducted to search vulnerability dimensions, and a Cluster Analysis was conducted to classify and identify the subgroups.

RESULTS

Regarding EF, social and psychological exposures contributed to the first two dimensions. Concerning FH, the first dimension represented psychiatric FH, while the second represented neurological FH. When analyzed together, EF and FH contributed to two new dimensions: 1. psychiatric FH, and 2. a psychosocial component. Using Cluster Analysis, it was not possible to isolate subgroups by genetic vulnerability or environmental exposure. Instead, a gradient of psychiatric FH with similar contributions of EF was observed.

CONCLUSION

In this study, it was not possible to isolate groups of patients that correspond to only one component, but rather a continuum with different compositions of genetic and environmental interplay.

Health conditions and service use of autistic women and men: A retrospective population-based case-control study

LAY ABSTRACT

This study used administrative data from Ontario, Canada to compare the health conditions and service use of autistic women and men with adults with other developmental disabilities and with adults without developmental disabilities. Autistic women and men were more likely to have physical and mental health conditions compared to adults without developmental disabilities. Rates of health conditions were similar or lower among autistic adults compared to adults with other developmental disabilities, except more autistic adults had psychiatric conditions. Autistic women and men used higher rates of psychiatric services compared to all other groups. When comparing autistic women with same aged autistic men, sex differences were found for specific physical (Crohn's disease/colitis, rheumatoid arthritis) and psychiatric conditions (psychotic disorders, non-psychotic disorders), as well differences in service use (emergency department visits, hospitalizations, family doctor and neurologist visits). These results further highlight the high health needs and service use of autistic women and men, as well as adults with other developmental disabilities. It is critical for future research to focus on mental health support for autistic adults and to better understand how to tailor supports to best serve autistic women.

Health characteristics of reproductive-aged autistic women in Ontario: A population-based, cross-sectional study

LAY ABSTRACT

While an increasing number of girls and women are being identified with autism, we know little about reproductive-aged autistic women's health. This study used administrative data from Ontario, Canada, to compare the health of reproductive-aged autistic women with non-autistic women. Overall, reproductive-aged autistic women had poorer health compared with non-autistic women, including increased rates of material deprivation, chronic medical conditions, psychiatric conditions, history of assault, and use of potentially teratogenic medications (i.e. drugs that can be harmful to the development of an embryo or fetus). These findings suggest that there is a need for health interventions tailored to the needs of reproductive-aged autistic women.

Physical health of autistic girls and women: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

There is a growing recognition of sex and gender influences in autism. Increasingly, studies include comparisons between sexes or genders, but few have focused on clarifying the characteristics of autistic girls'/women's physical health.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted to determine what is currently known about the physical health of autistic girls/women. We screened 1112 unique articles, with 40 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. We used a convergent iterative process to synthesize this content into broad thematic areas.

RESULTS

Autistic girls/women experience more overall physical health challenges compared to non-autistic girls/women and to autistic boys/men. Emerging evidence suggests increased prevalence of epilepsy in autistic girls/women compared to non-autistic girls/women and to autistic boys/men. The literature also suggests increased endocrine and reproductive health conditions in autistic girls/women compared to non-autistic girls/women. Findings regarding gastrointestinal, metabolic, nutritional, and immune-related conditions are preliminary and inconsistent.

LIMITATIONS

The literature has substantial heterogeneity in how physical health conditions were assessed and reported. Further, our explicit focus on physical health may have constrained the ability to examine interactions between mental and physical health. The widely differing research aims and methodologies make it difficult to reach definitive conclusions. Nevertheless, in keeping with the goals of a scoping review, we were able to identify key themes to guide future research.

CONCLUSIONS

The emerging literature suggests that autistic girls/women have heightened rates of physical health challenges compared to non-autistic girls/women and to autistic boys/men. Clinicians should seek to provide holistic care that includes a focus on physical health and develop a women's health lens when providing clinical care to autistic girls/women.

Identifying Children and Youth With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Electronic Medical Records: Examining Health System Utilization and Comorbidities

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder requiring significant health and educational resources for affected individuals. A reference standard for ASD was generated from an existing population‐based cohort of 10,000 children and youth aged 1–24 years who were randomly selected for chart abstraction from 29,256 patients from 119 family physicians. We developed and validated an algorithm to identify children and youth with ASD within an electronic medical record system (N = 80,237, aged 1–24 years) in order to examine the prevalence of comorbidities and quantify health system utilization within the cohort. We identified 1,062 children and youth with ASD representing a prevalence of 1.32%. Compared to individuals without ASD, those with ASD had a higher prevalence of asthma, were more likely to visit a specialist, undergo surgery, and be hospitalized for psychiatric reasons. Children and youth with ASD in Ontario have complex health system needs, illustrated through a significant burden of comorbidities and increased health system utilization.

Lay Summary

Our paper generates population‐based estimates of health system use by children and youth with ASD, who have a higher burden of comorbidities than the general population. We developed a case‐finding algorithm and applied it in electronic medical records to create a cohort of children and youth with ASD, thereby generating an important resource to further study the health care needs of individuals with ASD.

Effects of CBD-Enriched Cannabis sativa Extract on Autism Spectrum Disorder Symptoms: An Observational Study of 18 Participants Undergoing Compassionate Use

Autism Spectrum Disorders comprise conditions that may affect cognitive development, motor skills, social interaction, communication, and behavior. This set of functional deficits often results in lack of independence for the diagnosed individuals, and severe distress for patients, families, and caregivers. There is a mounting body of evidence indicating the effectiveness of pure cannabidiol (CBD) and CBD-enriched Cannabis sativa extract (CE) for the treatment of autistic symptoms in refractory epilepsy patients. There is also increasing data support for the hypothesis that non-epileptic autism shares underlying etiological mechanisms with epilepsy. Here we report an observational study with a cohort of 18 autistic patients undergoing treatment with compassionate use of standardized CBD-enriched CE (with a CBD to THC ratio of 75/1). Among the 15 patients who adhered to the treatment (10 non-epileptic and five epileptic) only one patient showed lack of improvement in autistic symptoms. Due to adverse effects, three patients discontinued CE use before 1 month. After 6-9 months of treatment, most patients, including epileptic and non-epileptic, showed some level of improvement in more than one of the eight symptom categories evaluated: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; Behavioral Disorders; Motor Deficits; Autonomy Deficits; Communication and Social Interaction Deficits; Cognitive Deficits; Sleep Disorders and Seizures, with very infrequent and mild adverse effects. The strongest improvements were reported for Seizures, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Sleep Disorders, and Communication and Social Interaction Deficits. This was especially true for the 10 non-epileptic patients, nine of which presented improvement equal to or above 30% in at least one of the eight categories, six presented improvement of 30% or more in at least two categories and four presented improvement equal to or above 30% in at least four symptom categories. Ten out of the 15 patients were using other medicines, and nine of these were able to keep the improvements even after reducing or withdrawing other medications. The results reported here are very promising and indicate that CBD-enriched CE may ameliorate multiple ASD symptoms even in non-epileptic patients, with substantial increase in life quality for both ASD patients and caretakers.

Multidisciplinary Teaming: Enhancing Collaboration through Increased Understanding

In an effort to provide clarity about the unique contributions of several professions within the context of multidisciplinary treatment, we reviewed the definitions, philosophical underpinnings, and national requirements pertaining to both scopes of practice (i.e., model licensing acts, legislation, and regulatory boards) and training (i.e., task lists, accreditation standards and course requirements, and exam blueprints) of 4 behavioral health professions. The professions we selected (behavior analysis, psychology, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy) are likely to provide treatment alongside one another and often to the same clients. In a review of documents pertaining to scopes of practice and training for each profession, we found overlapping content. However, the similarities between professions diminished when we reviewed more specific guidelines such as learning objectives, educational requirements (i.e., coursework), supervised clinical experience (e.g., internships), and national examinations. This was especially true when considering each profession's underlying approach to treatment (i.e., philosophical underpinnings) and, hence, service activities. We discuss our findings in light of service overlap and make a call for greater collaboration between professions, as related to the separate content knowledge and expertise of professionals in each field and the impact on client outcomes.

High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders in Adults: Consequences for Primary Caregivers Compared to Schizophrenia and Depression

Primary caregivers experience consequences from being in close contact to a person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study used the Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire to explore the level of consequences of 104 caregivers involved with adults with High Functioning ASD (HF-ASD) and compared these with the consequences reported by caregivers of patients suffering from depression and schizophrenia. Caregivers involved with adults with an HF-ASD experience overall consequences comparable to those involved with patients with depression or schizophrenia. Worrying was the most reported consequence. More tension was experienced by the caregivers of ASD patients, especially by spouses. More care and attention for spouses of adults with an HF-ASD appears to be needed.

Pregnancy outcomes in women with autism: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Background

The consequences of autism in pregnancy outcomes have not been explored before, although it is of crucial importance because of the frequent comorbidities and medication in this group of women.

Objectives

To estimate the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women diagnosed with autism.

Design

Nationwide population-based cohort study.

Setting

Sweden.

Participants

Singleton births identified in the Swedish Medical Birth Registry, 2006–2014. A total of 2,198 births to women diagnosed with autism registered in the Swedish National Patient Registry were compared to 877,742 singleton births to women without such a diagnosis.

Main outcome and measures

Preterm delivery. Secondary measures were cesarean delivery (emergency and elective), Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes, small for gestational age, large for gestational age, stillbirth, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia. ORs were calculated through logistic regression, adjusted for maternal age at delivery, maternal country of birth, smoking, maternal body mass index, parity, calendar year of birth, and psychotropic and antiepileptic medication during pregnancy.

Results

Women with autism were at increased risk of preterm birth (OR=1.30; 95% CI=1.10–1.54), especially medically indicated preterm birth (OR=1.41; 95% CI=1.08–1.82), but not with spontaneous preterm birth. Maternal autism was also associated with an increased risk of elective cesarean delivery (OR=1.44; 95% CI=1.25–1.66) and preeclampsia (OR=1.34; 95% CI=1.08–1.66), but not with emergency cesarean delivery, low Apgar score (<7), large for gestational age, gestational diabetes, and stillbirth. In women with medication during pregnancy, there was no increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome except for induction of delivery (OR=1.33; 95% CI=1.14–1.55).

Conclusion and relevance

Maternal autism is associated with preterm birth, likely due to an increased frequency of medically indicated preterm births, but also with other adverse pregnancy outcomes, suggesting a need for extra surveillance during prenatal care.

A 16-Year Cohort Analysis of Autism Spectrum Disorder-Associated Morbidity in a Pediatric Population

Introduction: This chapter presents the analysis of physician-diagnosed International Classification of Diseases (ICD version 9) disorders and diseases associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in a 16-year pediatric cohort. Materials and Methods: The sample (n = 47,180; 62% male) consisted of children in the Alberta Health Services Calgary Health Region catchment under the age of 3 years, who received any physician-assigned ICD 9 diagnosis before the age of three between April 1993 and December 31, 1994. There were 111 females and 609 males with ASD diagnosed at any time between 1993 and 2010. The results detail the 16-year odds ratio (OR) associations of ASD diagnosis within the major classes of international classification of diseases (ICD 9) stratified by age and sex in the cohort. Further, for those suffering from ASD and any other disorder or disease, the analysis presents by sex, age, and duration, the proportions of all index physician-assigned ICD diagnoses, arising significantly before and after the index ASD diagnosis. Results: The rate of treated ASD in the cohort was 1 in 65 and the 16-year population rate of ASD was 62 per 10,000. For males with an ASD over the 16 year period, the ORs were significantly greater than the value one for 15 of the 17 main ICD classes and for 10 of the main ICD classes for females. Different age strata presented a more specific account of the main ICD class OR profiles. More specifically, 28 ICD disorders significantly preceded and 95 ICD disorders significantly followed ASD for females. Thirty-eight ICD disorders significantly preceded and 234 ICD disorders significantly followed ASD for males. Conclusions: The results largely confirm past studies focusing on more constrained sets of ASD morbidity. The age-stratified ORs gauge the order of risk in time for the cohort. The proportions of specific ICD disorders arising before and after ASD may be useful in respect to informing basic ASD research and ASD clinical management. Limitations are discussed.