Autism biomarkers

New research has indicated that mass spectrometry (MS) could be used in the diagnosis and, potentially, in the prognosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD).1 Currently, autism is diagnosed based on clinical observation.

A team of scientists have investigated the potential use of MS and suggest that particular protein patterns or biomarkers can be used in the detection of ASD. MS techniques were used in the protein profiling of the blood plasma of children with such disorders in order to identify peptides that could be used as biomarkers. These results were then compared with a control group. They found that three differentially expressed peptides with m/z values of 2020±1, 1864±1 and 1978±1 Da were significantly changed when compared with the control results.

The study concluded that these results allow for a reliable blood-based diagnostic tool.

1. B.L. Persson et al., Translational Psychiatry, 2, e91 (2012).

This story originally appeared in The Column. Click here to view that issue.