A blood biomarker that can potentially help in early diagnosis of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been discovered by researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. This means that a blood test can be used to know if a child has ASD.
The researchers found a connection between the lack of an antibody called immunoglobulin G type 1, or IgG1, according to News Hub. The researchers said that autism spectrum disorder can possibly be identified even before children show clearly manifesting symptoms through testing for IgG1, together with other tests like hormone level measurements.
UT Southwestern Medical Center Researchers Identify New Autism Blood Biomarker | BioNews Texas https://t.co/c2nZrExHFX via @bionewstx
— WIB - Austin Area (@WIBAustin) May 5, 2016
Blood Biomarker For Autism Was Goal Of Many
"Numerous investigators have long sought a biomarker for ASD," said Dr. Dwight German, study senior author and Professor of Psychiatry at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. German said via Science Daily that IgG1 and others they are testing can represent a useful test with over 80 percent accuracy in identifying ASD."
Previous studies already found abnormalities in the immune systems of children with autism spectrum disorder, so German and his co-researchers then searched for antibodies that are related to autism spectrum disorder. They found that boys with ASD "had significantly reduced levels of a serum IgG1 antibody"
After this, Science Daily said the researchers looked into 25 peptoid compounds that bound to IgG1. They focused on one called ASD1 which was "66 percent accurate" in diagnosing autism spectrum disorder. The ASD1-binding biomarker, together with thyroid stimulating hormone level measurements was found to be 73 percent accurate in diagnosing ASD.
More Tests Needed For Autism Blood Biomarker
For further validation, German said that more tests needed to be done. There needs to be an analysis of blood samples from girls with autism spectrum disorder as girls made up only a small ratio of the subjects. The biomarker is said to have not correlated as strongly with ASD diagnosis in girls.
BioNews Texas reported that the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center is one of four American universities that are participating in Autism BrainNet. This is "an effort to collect and examine brain samples to understand ASD."
Do you know someone with autism? How was he or she diagnosed? Write your comments below.
