Biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder: a short review

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social disabilities and stereotyped behaviors. There is a relevant social impact on autistic people's lives and, therefore, biomarkers have become relevant for understanding neurobiological mechanisms.

This study aims to review current knowledge about the role of biomarkers and their main scientific evidence in autism.

The authors performed a non-systematic literature review through the PubMed database, using the keywords "biomarkers", "autism" and "autism spectrum disorder". The search was restricted to articles written in English, in the last 10 years.

Analyzing the articles found, it is possible to delimit the biomarkers according to the development of ASD, from the prenatal period with exposure to diseases or association of autism with other genetic diseases, through the immune and nutritional factors exposed during pregnancy, and for end those associated with diagnoses phase in which there is the presence of symptoms in which these markers can be used to aid in the diagnosis.

Although preliminary, biomarkers may hold promise for prenatal and presymptomatic screening. It may also be used as predictors of treatment for autism spectrum disorder.