Newborn screening for autism: in search of candidate biomarkers.

This study points to as a marker for autism:

"GST [Glutathione S-transferase] is a metabolic biomarker directly associated with ASD. The human gene product for GST constitutes a candidate susceptibility protein due to its tissue distribution and role in oxidative stress and methionine metabolism, which results in neuronal injury and death."

Read study here: Newborn Screening for Autism: In search of candidate biomarkers.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/23547820/

Biomark Med. 2013 Apr;7(2):247-60. doi: 10.2217/bmm.12.108.

Mizejewski GJ1, Lindau-Shepard B, Pass KA.

Division of Translational Medicine, Wadsworth Center, NYS Department of Health, PO Box 509, Albany, NY 12201 0509, USA.

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represents a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impairments in social interaction, language, communication and range of interests. Autism is usually diagnosed in children 3-5 years of age using behavioral characteristics; thus, diagnosis shortly after birth would be beneficial for early initiation of treatment.

AIM:
This retrospective study sought to identify newborns at risk for ASD utilizing bloodspot specimens in an immunoassay.

MATERIALS & METHODS:
The present study utilized stored frozen specimens from ASD children already diagnosed at 15-36 months of age. The newborn specimens and controls were analyzed by immunoassay in a multiplex system that included 90 serum biomarkers and subjected to statisical analysis.

RESULTS:
Three sets of five biomarkers associated with ASD were found that differed from control groups. The 15 candidate biomarkers were then discussed regarding their association with ASD.

CONCLUSION:
This study determined that a statistically selected panel of 15 biomarkers successfully discriminated presumptive newborns at risk for ASD from those of nonaffected controls.

Exerpt:

"GST [Glutathione S-transferase] is a metabolic biomarker directly associated with ASD. The human gene product for GST constitutes a candidate susceptibility protein due to its tissue distribution and role in oxidative stress and methionine metabolism, which results in neuronal injury and death."