Researchers are investigating whether existing dementia assessment methods may overlook signs of cognitive decline in autistic adults because many screening tools were developed around neurotypical populations
The study, published in the JMIR Research Protocols journal, aims to identify cognitive functions that are affected by dementia but less influenced by autism, helping to improve the accuracy of assessments and support earlier detection.
Existing evidence
The University of Strathclyde study will review existing evidence on four key areas of cognition – memory, attention, language and executive function – to identify which are most reliable for detecting dementia, rather than reflecting lifelong neurodivergent traits.
It lays the groundwork for assessments that more accurately detect dementia risk among adults with autism.
Autism is estimated to affect around one per cent of the population, while tens of thousands of people are living with dementia in Scotland. However, there is limited research into how the two may co-occur, particularly in older adults.
Knowledge gap
This gap in knowledge may mean that existing assessment tools, which are designed around neurotypical populations, do not always provide accurate results for autistic people.
The study’s lead author, Lynsey Stewart, a PhD student with the University’s Department of Psychological Sciences and Health, said: “Many of the abilities used in dementia screening – memory, attention and language – can already differ in autistic people across their lives, which can make it difficult to distinguish between long-standing differences and new signs of decline.
“By identifying the cognitive functions that are specifically affected by dementia, more accurate assessments and better outcomes could be supported.”
Members of the research team, which also includes Dr William McGeown, Professor Jonathan Delafield-Butt, and Professor Mario A Parra Rodriguez, hope the findings will inform the development of more tailored diagnostic tools and improve clinical understanding of ageing and age-related neurodegenerative disease in autistic populations.