In a large, preregistered study (see preprint), we compared InteroMap to emBODY. Overall, InteroMap demonstrated superior construct validity and usability
www.researchgate.net/publication/...

Wonderful article, Becca!

Finally, the amazing Professor Camilla Nord presents on interoception - including some cool lived experience work on body sensations, and work on disgust and gastric rhythms, alongside work on energy conservation. #BAP2025

However, if autistic individuals present parkinsonian symptoms due to their autistic traits alone, clinicians should incorporate this knowledge into diagnostic assessments to prevent misdiagnosis. 🧵10/n

Identifying the cause of the increased PD diagnosis prevalence in autism is important for the adaptation of diagnosis procedures. If autistic individuals are indeed more likely to develop PD, all stakeholders should be aware of this to ensure a prompt diagnosis. 🧵9/n

Finally, we consider other potential explanations for overlap between autism and PD, including potential biological mechanisms (dopamine?🧠), as well as the contribution of antipsychotic medications in autism 💊. 🧵8/n

Separate research studies highlight similarities between autism and PD across both gross and fine motor function, as well as emotion expression and recognition, theory of mind ability and cognitive rigidity. Direct comparisons in a matched-groups design are need to validate these conclusions. 🧵7/n

Given that PD diagnosis is primarily movement-based, if it is the case that autistic movement appears parkinsonian, this may facilitate autistic individuals meeting diagnostic criteria for PD. 🧵6/n

We suggest that a newly emerging body of literature - movement differences in autism - may shed light upon this question. In the case of bradykinesia, postural instability and gait differences (core diagnostic features of PD), differences in autism have been explicitly likened to that of PD. 🧵5/n

Why might this be the case? Genetics studies link some PD risk genes to autism 🧬, but a significant polygenic overlap is not apparent, and first-degree relatives of autistic individuals don't have elevated PD diagnosis rates. So can this relationship really be driven by genetics alone? 🧵4/n

Conducting PD assessments in autistic groups also demonstrates high levels of PD traits. Starkstein et al (2015): 32% of their test sample screened positive for parkinsonism via UPDRS. Geurts et al (2022): 17% and 33% positive screening via PSQ in Netherlands and US samples. 🧵3/n

A number of recent studies have evidenced elevated PD diagnosis rates in autism. E.g., Croen et al (2015): 0.93% PD prevalence in autistic sample vs 0.03% in non-autistic sample. Hand et al (2020): 6.6% in autistic sample vs 1.2% in non-autistic sample. 🧵2/n