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Autism and Dementia: A Summative Report from the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia
Matthew P. Janicki, Philip McCallion, Nancy S. Jokinen, Frode Larsen, Dawar Hameed Mughal, Vijayanand Palanisamy, Flavia Heloisa Santos, Kathyrn P. Service et al.. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 2025-05-06
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
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.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Janicki, M. P., McCallion, P., Jokinen, N. S., Larsen, F., Mughal, D. H., Palanisamy, V., et al. (2025). Autism and Dementia: A Summative Report from the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06843-7
Vancouver
Janicki MP, McCallion P, Jokinen NS, Larsen F, Mughal DH, Palanisamy V, et al. Autism and Dementia: A Summative Report from the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 2025. doi:10.1007/s10803-025-06843-7. PMID: 40327233.
BibTeX
@article{janicki2025-40327233,
author = {Janicki, Matthew P. and McCallion, Philip and Jokinen, Nancy S. and Larsen, Frode and Mughal, Dawar Hameed and Palanisamy, Vijayanand and Santos, Flavia Heloisa and Service, Kathyrn P. and others},
title = {{Autism and Dementia: A Summative Report from the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia}},
journal = {Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1007/s10803-025-06843-7},
pmid = {40327233},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-025-06843-7}
}
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. The record's author list ends in “et al.”, so not every author is named. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
Key findings
- A review of current literature indicates a lack of comprehensive information on the demographics and factors associated with aging in autistic adults.
- The overall prevalence of dementia in this population appears to be influenced by co-occurring intellectual disabilities, particularly Down syndrome.
Why it matters
This expert report found limited research on aging and dementia in autistic adults, with dementia prevalence appearing to be influenced by co-occurring intellectual disabilities, particularly Down syndrome. It offers no tested treatment, cure, or prevention for Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 43/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders: journal h-index 302 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 4 / 5 | 2025 — within 3 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 2 / 7 | Cited 8 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 2.7 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 4.6× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 1 / 6 | Cited by 1 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 8 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Karen Watchman: h-index 17 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 2 / 3 | University of Toronto: institution h-index 1,923 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 3 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 12 institution(s) in 5 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40327233) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 43 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1007/s10803-025-06843-7
- PubMed: 40327233
- Original source →
- Free full text: Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
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