Re: Biomarkers for Autism Discovered

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http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v2/n3/full/tp201219a.html

A novel blood-based biomarker for detection of autism spectrum disorders

N Momeni1, J Bergquist2, L Brudin3, F Behnia4, B Sivberg5, M T Joghataei6 and B L Persson1

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are classified as neurological developmental disorders. Several studies have been carried out to find a candidate biomarker linked to the development of these disorders, but up to date no reliable biomarker is available. Mass spectrometry techniques have been used for protein profiling of blood plasma of children with such disorders in order to identify proteins/peptides that may be used as biomarkers for detection of the disorders. Three differentially expressed peptides with mass–charge (m/z) values of 2020±1, 1864±1 and 1978±1 Da in the heparin plasma of children with ASD that were significantly changed as compared with the peptide pattern of the non-ASD control group are reported here. This novel set of biomarkers allows for a reliable blood-based diagnostic tool that may be used in diagnosis and potentially, in prognosis of ASD.

Keywords:

ASD; autism spectrum disorders; biomarker; blood>> > An important step towards developing a rapid, inexpensive diagnostic> method for autism has been taken by Uppsala University, in collaboration> with other universities. Through advanced mass spectrometry the> researchers managed to capture promising biomarkers from a tiny blood> sample. The study has just been published in the prestigious journal> Nature Translational Psychiatry.> > > There are no acknowledged biomarkers for autism today. Researchers at> Berzelii Centre and the Science for Life Laboratory in Uppsala who, in> collaboration with colleagues at Linnaeus University in Sweden and the> Faculty of Medicine in Tehran, Iran, who have discovered some promising> biomarkers.> > > Many diseases are caused by protein alterations inside and outside the> body's cells. By studying protein patterns in tissue and body> fluids, these alterations can be mapped to provide important information> about underlying causes of disease. Sometimes protein patterns can also> be used as biomarkers to enable diagnosis or as a prognosticating tool> to monitor the development of a disease. In the current study> disruptions of the nervous system were in focus when the scientists> studied protein patterns in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).> > > To identify potential biomarkers (peptides or proteins), the researchers> performed a detailed protein analysis of> blood plasma from children with ASD compared with a control group. Using> advanced mass spectrometric methods, they succeeded in identifying> peptides consisting of fragments of a protein whose natural function is> in the immune system, the complement factor C3 protein.> > > The study is based on blood samples from a relatively limited group of> children, but the results indicate the potential of our methodological> strategy. There is already a known connection between this protein and> ASD, which further reinforces the findings, says Jonas Bergquist,> professor of analytical chemistry and neurochemistry at the Department> of Chemistry – BMC (Biomedical Centre) in Uppsala.> > > The hope is that this new set of biomarkers ultimately will lead to a> reliable blood-based diagnostic tool.>

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It would be great if confirmed, not only for early detection but to track progress – in studies and real life hopefully !Natasa Reply-To: "Autism-Biomedical-Europe " <Autism-Biomedical-Europe >Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2012 23:01:07 -0000To: "Autism-Biomedical-Europe " <Autism-Biomedical-Europe >Subject: Re: Biomarkers for Autism Discovered

http://www.nature.com/tp/journal/v2/n3/full/tp201219a.htmlA novel blood-based biomarker for detection of autism spectrum disordersN Momeni1, J Bergquist2, L Brudin3, F Behnia4, B Sivberg5, M T Joghataei6 and B L Persson1AbstractAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are classified as neurological developmental disorders. Several studies have been carried out to find a candidate biomarker linked to the development of these disorders, but up to date no reliable biomarker is available. Mass spectrometry techniques have been used for protein profiling of blood plasma of children with such disorders in order to identify proteins/peptides that may be used as biomarkers for detection of the disorders. Three differentially expressed peptides with mass–charge (m/z) values of 2020±1, 1864±1 and 1978±1 Da in the heparin plasma of children with ASD that were significantly changed as compared with the peptide pattern of the non-ASD control group are reported here. This novel set of biomarkers allows for a reliable blood-based diagnostic tool that may be used in diagnosis and potentially, in prognosis of ASD.Keywords: ASD; autism spectrum disorders; biomarker; blood>> > An important step towards developing a rapid, inexpensive diagnostic> method for autism has been taken by Uppsala University, in collaboration> with other universities. Through advanced mass spectrometry the> researchers managed to capture promising biomarkers from a tiny blood> sample. The study has just been published in the prestigious journal> Nature Translational Psychiatry.> > > There are no acknowledged biomarkers for autism today. Researchers at> Berzelii Centre and the Science for Life Laboratory in Uppsala who, in> collaboration with colleagues at Linnaeus University in Sweden and the> Faculty of Medicine in Tehran, Iran, who have discovered some promising> biomarkers.> > > Many diseases are caused by protein alterations inside and outside the> body's cells. By studying protein patterns in tissue and body> fluids, these alterations can be mapped to provide important information> about underlying causes of disease. Sometimes protein patterns can also> be used as biomarkers to enable diagnosis or as a prognosticating tool> to monitor the development of a disease. In the current study> disruptions of the nervous system were in focus when the scientists> studied protein patterns in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).> > > To identify potential biomarkers (peptides or proteins), the researchers> performed a detailed protein analysis of> blood plasma from children with ASD compared with a control group. Using> advanced mass spectrometric methods, they succeeded in identifying> peptides consisting of fragments of a protein whose natural function is> in the immune system, the complement factor C3 protein.> > > The study is based on blood samples from a relatively limited group of> children, but the results indicate the potential of our methodological> strategy. There is already a known connection between this protein and> ASD, which further reinforces the findings, says Jonas Bergquist,> professor of analytical chemistry and neurochemistry at the Department> of Chemistry – BMC (Biomedical Centre) in Uppsala.> > > The hope is that this new set of biomarkers ultimately will lead to a> reliable blood-based diagnostic tool.>