Growing evidence indicates that the defining characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are distributed throughout the general population; hence, understanding the correlates of aging in people with high autistic traits could shed light on ASD and aging. 915 members of the Dunedin longitudinal birth cohort completed a measure of autistic traits at age 45. A composite measure of the “pace of aging” was derived by tracking the decline in 19 biomarkers across ages 26, 32, 38, and 45 years. Facial age was also assessed. Reports of perceived health were collected from participants themselves, informants, and interviewers. Higher self-reported autistic traits significantly correlated with a faster pace of aging, older facial age, and poorer self-, informant-, and interviewer-rated health. After control for sex, SES and IQ, autistic traits were significantly associated with each variable: pace of aging (β = 0.09), facial age (β = 0.08), self- (β = −0.15), informant (β = −0.12), and interviewer-rated (β = −0.17) health. Autistic traits measured at age 45 are associated with faster aging. Participants with high autistic traits appear to be more vulnerable to poor health outcomes, as previously reported for those clinically diagnosed with ASD. Therefore, autistic traits may have important health implications. Replicating these findings in samples of autistic people is needed to identify the mechanism of their effect on aging and physical health to improve outcomes for those with ASD diagnoses or high autistic traits.

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自闭症特征与更快的衰老速度有关：来自但尼丁 45 岁研究的证据

越来越多的证据表明，自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）的定义特征分布在整个普通人群中；因此，了解具有高度自闭症特征的人的衰老相关性可以阐明 ASD 和衰老。但尼丁纵向出生队列的 915 名成员在 45 岁时完成了自闭症特征的测量。通过跟踪 26、32、38 和 45 岁期间 19 种生物标志物的下降，得出了“衰老速度”的综合测量。还评估了面部年龄。从参与者本人、线人和采访者那里收集了感知健康的报告。较高的自我报告自闭症特征与较快的衰老速度、较老的面部年龄以及较差的自我、知情人和面试官评定的健康状况显着相关。在控制性别、社会经济地位和智商后，自闭症特征与每个变量显着相关：衰老速度 (β = 0.09)、面部年龄 (β = 0.08)、自我 (β = -0.15)、线人 (β = -0.12) 和面试官评分 (β = −0.17) 健康。在 45 岁时测量的自闭症特征与更快的衰老有关。正如之前对那些临床诊断为 ASD 的人所报道的那样，具有高度自闭症特征的参与者似乎更容易受到不良健康结果的影响。因此，自闭症特征可能对健康有重要影响。需要在自闭症患者的样本中复制这些发现，以确定它们对衰老和身体健康的影响机制，以改善患有 ASD 诊断或高度自闭症特征的人的结果。和面试官评定的 (β = -0.17) 健康状况。在 45 岁时测量的自闭症特征与更快的衰老有关。正如之前对那些临床诊断为 ASD 的人所报道的那样，具有高度自闭症特征的参与者似乎更容易受到不良健康结果的影响。因此，自闭症特征可能对健康有重要影响。需要在自闭症患者的样本中复制这些发现，以确定它们对衰老和身体健康的影响机制，以改善患有 ASD 诊断或高度自闭症特征的人的结果。和面试官评定的 (β = -0.17) 健康状况。在 45 岁时测量的自闭症特征与更快的衰老有关。正如之前对那些临床诊断为 ASD 的人所报道的那样，具有高度自闭症特征的参与者似乎更容易受到不良健康结果的影响。因此，自闭症特征可能对健康有重要影响。需要在自闭症患者的样本中复制这些发现，以确定它们对衰老和身体健康的影响机制，以改善患有 ASD 诊断或高度自闭症特征的人的结果。