"Research Roundup" November 2022 Edition
- Jennifer Philips
- Nov 30, 2022
- 3 min read

“The progression rate from ASD to schizophrenia was 10.26% for 10 years of follow-up”
One in ten adults diagnosed with autism went on to develop schizophrenia according to new research out of Taiwan. Based on health insurance data derived from over 11,000 people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who were followed for over 10 years, researchers observed their important association. General population estimates of schizophrenia prevalence typically hover around 1%, illustrating the huge additional risk of schizophrenia that a diagnosis of ASD seemingly confers according to the new study. Various factors were observed to make a diagnosis of schizophrenia more likely, including familial history, the presence of a personality disorder and a history of alcohol misuse. Preferential screening for schizophrenia may be indicated where such issues are present.
Nearly half of all people with autism present with gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms
While estimates have varied over the years, a new study calculated that 48% of people diagnosed with ASD present with at least one gastrointestinal (GI) symptom, based on a new systematic review and meta-analysis of the topic. Researchers in China trawled through the available science literature covering over 60 studies cumulatively including over 130,000 research participants. Alongside estimating the global prevalence of ASD (98/10,000), researchers concluded that somatic symptoms such as constipation and diarrhea are important issues for consideration in terms of screening and management. Such findings once again bring into sharp focus the need to study the gut-brain axis in the context of ASD.

Insights from those who ‘lose a diagnosis of autism’ are important to autism science
“Much can be learned by studying symptom remission in ASD” was the clear message in a new opinion article co-published by Deborah Fein from the University of Connecticut, USA. She and colleagues first coined the phrase ‘optimal outcome’ to denote a subset of people who presented with all the classic, diagnosable facets of autism but at a later stage did not fulfill the diagnostic criteria having previously done so. ‘Loss of autism diagnosis’ (LAD) is the now preferred term. The new opinion piece criss-crosses various important debates about autism ranging from syndrome vs. symptoms to the issue of a frank presentation of autism. Authors eventually settle on the idea that exploring biological phenotypes (subtypes) of autism including those with LAD may be an important way forward to understanding ASD.
Risk of catching an STI enhanced in ASD
Uncomfortable findings suggesting that those with ASD may be at heightened risk of catching a sexually-transmitted infection (STI) have been published by researchers out of Taiwan. Once again relying on data from a population health insurance database, authors analysed the records of over 5000 people with ASD compared with over 50,000 non-autistic controls. They concluded that those with ASD were about three times more likely to contract an STI than non-ASD controls. Taking into account the wide heterogeneity in the presentation of autism, such findings, as uncomfortable as they might be, provide further impetus for targeted sex education strategies to cater to a vulnerable population. They also provide a springboard to talk more openly about sex and healthy relationships with people with ASD.
Abstract: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36076116

CBD-rich cannabis positively affects social communication skills in autistic children. But…
Treatment with cannabidiol (CBD) rich cannabis correlated with positive changes to gold-standard derived social communication scores in a group of children and young people with ASD according to new research out of Israel. But a huge note of caution is needed following the use of an open-label study design - not blinded and vulnerable to well-documented placebo effects in ASD - needs to be sounded as more controlled study is required. Such research is part of a whole slew of studies looking at CBD-based intervention for ASD and accompanying issues.
[Note from J. Rodakis - a variety of biopharma groups have discussed exploring CBD based treatments for ASD including GW Pharm (maker of Epidiolex) now part of Jazz Pharmaceutical]
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