Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 1, 2026
Strategies for Assessing Autistic-Like Behaviors in Mice
Published on: September 20, 2024
Biomarkers in autism spectrum disorders: Current progress
Liming Shen1, XuKun Liu1, Huajie Zhang1
1College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, PR China.
Insights
Researchers are exploring genes, proteins, and metabolites as potential diagnostic biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Early interventions improve symptoms, but reliable biomarkers are needed for diagnosis and understanding ASD pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition with unknown etiology and pathogenesis.
- Current diagnostic methods lack specific biomarkers, necessitating further research.
- Early behavioral interventions show promise in managing ASD symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent findings on potential diagnostic biomarkers for ASD.
- To explore the role of genes, proteins, peptides, and metabolites in ASD diagnosis and pathogenesis.
- To discuss the application of various analytical techniques in identifying these biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on ASD biomarkers.
- Analysis of genetic testing, proteomic, metabolomic, and transcriptomic data.
- Examination of studies focusing on specific proteins, metabolites, immune disturbances, and cytokines.
Main Results:
- Progress has been made in identifying potential diagnostic markers for ASD across different molecular levels.
- Genes, proteins, peptides, and metabolites show promise as indicators for ASD.
- Transcriptomic analysis, immune markers, and cytokines are also being investigated.
Conclusions:
- No definitive diagnostic markers for ASD have been identified yet.
- Continued research into genetic, proteomic, and metabolomic profiles is crucial for developing reliable ASD biomarkers.
- Understanding the pathogenesis involving these molecular factors is key to advancing ASD diagnosis and treatment.
Abstract:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social interaction and communication deficits and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. As the etiology and pathogenesis of the disorder have not yet been elucidated, specific treatment and reliable diagnostic biomarkers are not available. Early behavioral interventions have been shown to substantially improve symptoms in children with ASD. Given the rapidly increasing prevalence of ASD, there is an urgent need to identify related diagnostic biomarkers. Although specific diagnostic markers for ASD have not been identified, the related research has made progress in different aspects. This review summarizes recent findings of the use of genes, proteins, peptides, and metabolites as diagnostic markers for ASD. The associated techniques include genetic testing and proteomic and metabolomic analyses. In addition, some studies have focused on single or several proteins and metabolites. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis, immune disturbances and cytokine may also be used for this purpose. The pathogenesis involving genes, proteins, and metabolites is also discussed here.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...