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Autism, Diagnostics, and Dementia: A Consensus Report From the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia
Matthew P. Janicki, Philip McCallion, Nancy S. Jokinen, Frode Larsen, Kathyrn P. Service, Dawna Torres Mughal, Karen Watchman, Tiziano Gomiero et al.. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2025-06-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
Diagnostic challenges stem from overlapping symptoms of co-occurring neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions, rendering standard dementia tools insufficient. Comprehensive evaluations tailored to autism-related traits, sensory sensitivities, and alternative communication methods are essential. Building diagnostic capacity among clinicians and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration are critical. Longitudinal assessments, initiated before dementia symptoms appear, facilitate early detection of subtle changes. Emerging biomarkers and neuroimaging techniques show promise and should be incorporated where feasible. Accommodations, such as virtual assessments in familiar settings, can enhance diagnostic accuracy by reducing anxiety. Creating transition processes from diagnostics to post-diagnostic supports will aid in mitigating challenges and enhance life quality when dementia is a factor. Research and clinician education are urgently needed to improve diagnostic approaches and streamline the transition from diagnosis to tailored post-diagnostic support. An integrated framework of comprehensive efforts is vital for our better understanding of age-associated neuropathological diagnostics and enabling long-term well-being of older autistic adults with dementia.
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
APA 7th
Janicki, M. P., McCallion, P., Jokinen, N. S., Larsen, F., Service, K. P., Mughal, D. T., et al. (2025). Autism, Diagnostics, and Dementia: A Consensus Report From the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.70110
Vancouver
Janicki MP, McCallion P, Jokinen NS, Larsen F, Service KP, Mughal DT, et al. Autism, Diagnostics, and Dementia: A Consensus Report From the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. 2025. doi:10.1002/gps.70110. PMID: 40481277.
BibTeX
@article{janicki2025-40481277,
author = {Janicki, Matthew P. and McCallion, Philip and Jokinen, Nancy S. and Larsen, Frode and Service, Kathyrn P. and Mughal, Dawna Torres and Watchman, Karen and Gomiero, Tiziano and others},
title = {{Autism, Diagnostics, and Dementia: A Consensus Report From the 2nd International Summit on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia}},
journal = {International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry},
year = {2025},
doi = {10.1002/gps.70110},
pmid = {40481277},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.70110}
}
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
- Diagnostic challenges stem from overlapping symptoms of co-occurring neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions, rendering standard dementia tools insufficient.
- Comprehensive evaluations tailored to autism-related traits, sensory sensitivities, and alternative communication methods are essential.
- Building diagnostic capacity among clinicians and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration are critical.
- Longitudinal assessments, initiated before dementia symptoms appear, facilitate early detection of subtle changes.
- Emerging biomarkers and neuroimaging techniques show promise and should be incorporated where feasible.
Why it matters
This consensus report discusses diagnostic challenges for dementia in autistic adults and recommends tailored evaluations, longitudinal assessments, and emerging biomarkers. It focuses on improving diagnosis and post-diagnostic support, not on treating, curing, or preventing Alzheimer's disease.
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Study details
- Study designlongitudinal study
- Evidence strengthModerate
How this study scored 46/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a longitudinal study following the same people over time. Scored zero for 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 (International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry: journal h-index 190 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 7 / 12 | A longitudinal study following the same people over time |
| Strength of evidence | 3 / 5 | Rated “moderate” 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 | 1 / 7 | Cited 4 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 1.3 citations a year over 3 year(s) since 2025 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 2.5× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 0 / 6 | No other study in this library cites it |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 4 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 1 / 4 | Last-listed author Seth M. Keller: h-index 11 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | University of Illinois Chicago: institution h-index 918 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 7 institution(s) in 4 countries |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 40481277) |
| Free to read | 2 / 2 | Free to read |
| Total | 46 / 100 | — |
What each of these 20 components measures, and what this score is not →
Read the original
- DOI: 10.1002/gps.70110
- PubMed: 40481277
- Original source →
- Free full text: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry →
Full text: free to read — OpenAlex lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 6 Feb 1020).
Studies this one cites
Referenced by this study and also in the alzhub library, so you can read them here.
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