Current Progress and Challenges in the Search for Autism Biomarkers

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) encompass a range of neurodevelopmental conditions that are clinically and etiologically very heterogeneous. ASD is currently diagnosed entirely on behavioral criteria, but intensive research efforts are focused on identifying biological markers for disease risk and early diagnosis. Here, we discuss recent progress toward identifying biological markers for ASD and highlight specific challenges as well as ethical aspects of translating ASD biomarker research into the clinic.

Autism spectrum disorder: advances in diagnosis and evaluation

“…Longstanding interest in potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of ASD dates back to studies on blood serotonin reported in the 1970s 56. Several reviews have highlighted the potential benefits of earlier detection and targeted interventions by pursuing assessment measures that focus on underlying biology rather than downstream behavioral effects 1057585960…”

Prenatal antidepressant exposure and the risk of autism spectrum disorders in children. Are we looking at the fall of Gods?

“…Identifying biomarkers for ASDs (Voineagu and Yoo, 2013) has been the focus of intense research since the first description of the disease in the early 1940s (Kanner, 1943). Biomarkers of oxidative stress, as a result of impaired antioxidant mechanism and aberrant neuroimmune responses, have been associated with ASDs (Frustaci et al, 2012;Wei et al, 2013).…”

A comparative study of the oxidative stress indices of children with autism and healthy children

“…37 Numerous investigations have addressed the potential use of biological indices related to oxidative stress as autism indicators. 7,32 The present study employed ROC analysis to show that autism may be diagnosed with 71.1% sensitivity and 82.6% specificity, at a serum TAS level <1.20.…”