Overview
- A UCL-led study analyzed seven years of data from 10,060 UK adults aged 50+ to investigate cognitive aging in those with autistic traits.
- Findings published in *The Gerontologist* confirm no accelerated decline in spatial working memory among individuals with high autistic traits compared to neurotypical peers.
- Researchers used growth mixture modeling to track spatial working memory changes, a cognitive domain linked to navigation and organization, over time.
- The study aligns the prevalence of high autistic traits (1.5%) within the cohort with general population estimates, addressing prior concerns about autism and dementia risk.
- Limitations include a lack of ethnic diversity, reliance on internet-based participation, and a focus on social and communication traits, highlighting areas for future research.