Physiological test for autism proves effective independent of co-occurring conditions

FAB RESEARCH COMMENT:

The lack of any objective diagnostic tests for autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) has been a major obstacle to both early identification and the search for more effective treatments.

This study provides further validation of a potential objective method of screening, based on blood metabolite profiling, which correctly classified a very high proportion of ASD children and controls in previous studies.

These latest findings show that its effectiveness was not impaired by co-occuring conditions (such as gastrointestinal disorders, allergies, immune disorders or neurological symptoms). This was important to establish, as the vast majority of children diagnosed with ASD also show one or more of these conditions.

As the authors emphsises, further research is still needed before this kind of measure could be of any clinical use for screening or diagnostic purposes.

Meanwhile, however, it is notable that among the blood metabolites that appear to distinguish ASD children from controls with a high degree of accuracy are various biomarkers related to the metabolism of folate (and other B vitamins), DNA methylation (which helps regulate gene expression), and 'oxidative stress', among others.

These findings are consistent with an increasing body of research indicating that ASD involves metabolic abnormalities, some of which may be open to improvement via dietary and/or nutritional interventions. 

For the related research article please see:

• Vargason T et al 2020 - Classification of autism spectrum disorder from blood metabolites

See also: 

• Adams et al 2011 - Nutritional and Metabolic Status of Children with Autism vs. Neurotypical Children, and the Association with Autism Severity