New test can detect autism in children earlier

Breakthrough in the early diagnosis of autism?

Scientists have now taken the first steps to develop a novel blood and urine test for autism, which in the future can quickly and effectively lead to early diagnosis of the condition. The test has already shown initial success in studies on children.

Researchers at the University of Warwick are currently developing a test that detects a so-called autism spectrum disorder. This test only requires blood and urine from the patients to make a successful diagnosis. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Molecular Autism".

Higher levels of protein damage in sick children

In their research work, the experts examined children with and without autism. They found by the novel test higher levels of protein damage in the affected children. In the blood of those affected more compounds could be found, which are caused by spontaneous oxidation and glycation. The researchers say the test could eventually lead to the earlier discovery of the condition. Usually, the disease is difficult to diagnose and many sufferers receive a diagnosis only after a delay.

Autism is difficult to diagnose

Autism influences behavior and especially social interaction, but unfortunately the condition is very hard to detect and is usually not diagnosed before the age of two, often much later. At present, there are no biological tests that can detect the condition. The disease has been diagnosed by evaluating the behavior of physicians.

Subjects were between five and eleven years old

For the current study, the researchers looked for chemical differences in the blood and urine of 38 autistic children and 31 children without this disease. The participants were all between five and twelve years old. With the help of an algorithm, the experts analyzed the findings. In children with autism spectrum disorder, scientists increasingly identified protein damage (especially in blood plasma), which is generally associated with poor health.

Sensitivity to key markers was 92 percent

Increased levels of autism-specific compounds (tyrosine dimer dityrosine and so-called advanced glycation end product) have been effective in detecting autism disorders. The sensitivity of the two markers for the disease was 92 percent and the so-called specificity was 84 percent, explain the researchers. If physicians were looking for these markers, they could diagnose autism earlier in childhood, study author Dr. Naila Rabbani from the University of Warwick.

Further studies with younger children are needed

The next step is now to review the study results with other groups. The necessary method is available, now only the results have to be confirmed in other studies, adds the expert. Further studies should be done on younger children, perhaps on subjects one or two years old. Then the results found in a larger cohort must be validated, after which the new test could be ready for screening. Hopefully, the test can also uncover some of the factors that cause autism and thus improve the diagnosis, says the doctor.

Clinical survey and observation the best form of diagnosis?

It does not seem to be known whether this technique can distinguish the difference between autism, ADHD, anxiety, and other similar conditions, critics say, because the study looked at just a small group of people. The best way to diagnose autism is therefore still a clinical questioning and observation.

There is an increasing number of autism diagnoses

The number of diagnosed cases of autism has increased dramatically in the last 20 years, the reason for which seems to be more accurate diagnostic methods. In general, the disease is found more frequently in men than in women. There is no cure yet for the condition, but interventions are available. (As)