Autistic traits are associated with faster pace of aging: Evidence from the Dunedin study at age 45.
David Mason, Angelica Ronald, Antony Ambler and 7 others
PMID 34042279WHAT IT FOUND
Middle-aged adults with more autistic traits showed faster biological aging, older facial appearance, and poorer health ratings.
This association persisted after controlling for childhood IQ and socioeconomic status, suggesting autistic traits may be an independent risk marker for accelerated aging.
Key findings
01Higher self-reported autistic traits at age 45 were significantly correlated with faster pace of aging, older facial age, and worse self-, informant-, and interviewer-rated health.
02Autistic traits predicted aging and health outcomes over and above childhood IQ and socioeconomic status, explaining between 2.8% and 13.5% of the variance in these measures.
03Participants with high autistic traits (AQ-10 score ≥6) were more than twice as likely to be classified as 'faster agers' compared to those with low traits (31.6% vs 13.3%).
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The study measured autistic traits using a self-report screening tool (AQ-10) in a general population sample, not a clinically diagnosed autism group. It is unclear if elevated scores reflect autism traits specifically or other difficulties like executive dysfunction. The sample was predominantly white (93%) and from New Zealand, limiting generalisability to other ethnic groups. Autistic traits were measured only at age 45; the study did not assess traits in childhood, so it cannot determine if the association is due to lifelong traits or changes in midlife. The study did not account for medication use, which can affect metabolic health and aging. The effect sizes were modest, with autistic traits explaining a small percentage of the variance in health and aging outcomes.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that autism causes accelerated aging. The study used a general population sample with self-reported traits, not clinically diagnosed individuals, and the association is correlational. Other factors, such as lifestyle, stress, or comorbidities, may contribute to both higher autistic traits and faster aging.