New research from the Queensland Brain Institute has found that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may be significantly more vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than previously thought. The study, published in iScience, revealed that even mild stress can trigger PTSD-like symptoms in ASD while also worsening core autism traits.
The findings highlight the need for better stress management and early intervention strategies for people with autism, as well as new clinical approaches to treating PTSD in this population.
Mild Stress Triggers PTSD-Like Symptoms in Autism
While PTSD in the general population is typically caused by severe trauma, the study found that in ASD, even minor stressors can lead to the formation of traumatic memories. Researchers Dr. Shaam Al Abed and Dr. Nathalie Dehorter tested four mouse models of ASD and discovered that a single mild stressor was enough to induce PTSD symptoms. This response occurs typically only after extreme stress.
“We wanted to understand this unique perception of stress in ASD that leads to the formation of PTSD,” said Dr. Al Abed.
This heightened sensitivity to stress could explain why many individuals with autism also experience PTSD at higher rates than the general population.
Changes in Brain Function Linked to PTSD Risk
The study identified alterations in the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for social behavior and decision-making, as a key factor in ASD’s connection to PTSD.
- The prefrontal cortex contains specialized interneurons that help regulate fear responses and emotional processing.
- In ASD, these interneurons overreact to stress, disrupting normal memory formation and leading to PTSD-like responses.
- This imbalance not only increases PTSD risk but also exacerbates autism-related social and behavioral difficulties.
“We didn’t anticipate that forming a traumatic memory would aggravate the social and behavioral difficulties in ASD,” said Dr. Dehorter.
Behavioral Therapy Shows Promise in Reducing PTSD Symptoms
Despite the concerning findings, the study also offers hope for treatment. Researchers found that behavioral therapy helped recontextualize traumatic memories, leading to significant improvements in ASD symptoms that had worsened due to stress.
“When traumatic memories were successfully addressed using behavioral therapy, the ASD traits that had worsened due to stress dramatically improved,” Dr. Dehorter explained.
These findings underscore the importance of recognizing PTSD risk in individuals with ASD and suggest that targeted stress management strategies and therapy could be crucial in improving long-term outcomes.
By identifying the biological link between ASD and PTSD, this study opens the door for new clinical approaches that focus on minimizing stress and enhancing coping mechanisms for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Reference: Hadil Zureigat, Michael T. Osborne, Shady Abohashem, Kenechukwu Mezue, Charbel Gharios, Simran Grewal, Alex Cardeiro, Nicki Naddaf, Giovanni Civieri, Taimur Abbasi, Azar Radfar, Wesam Aldosoky, Antonia V. Seligowski, Meagan M. Wasfy, James Sawalla Guseh, Timothy W. Churchill, Rachel P. Rosovsky, Zahi Fayad, Anthony Rosenzweig, Aaron Baggish, Roger K. Pitman, Karmel W. Choi, Jordan Smoller, Lisa M. Shin, Ahmed Tawakol. Effect of Stress-Related Neural Pathways on the Cardiovascular Benefit of Physical Activity. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2024.
