Scientists from US for first time have developed a blood test to accurately predict whether a child has autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The first of its kind of physiological test for analysing a blood sample opens the door to earlier diagnosis and potential future development of therapeutics.
Key facts
- To develop this test, scientists had investigated patterns of several metabolites and found significant differences between metabolites of children with ASD and those that are neurotypical.
- These differences allowed them to categorise whether an individual is on the autism spectrum.
- This algorithm by measuring 24 metabolites from a blood sample can tell whether or not an individual has Autism spectrum and even to some degree where on the spectrum they land.
About Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- ASD is characterised as a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. It is estimated to affect about 1.5% of individuals and
- The physiological basis for ASD is not known, but genetic and environmental factors are both believed to play a role.
- People with ASD may communicate, interact, behave, and learn in ways that are different from most other people.
- Early intervention can improve development, but currently diagnosis depends on clinical observation of behaviour, that is considered as an obstacle to early diagnosis and treatment.