Scientists at Columbia University have found molecules that can predict autism risk in maternal and cord blood. The results of the research were published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry.
The researchers analyzed the levels of 1208 different chemicals in plasma samples from 408 mothers in mid-pregnancy (17-21 weeks) and in cord blood from 418 babies at birth.
Researchers have found several chemical compounds associated with an increased risk of being diagnosed with autism between the ages of three and five. These substances have been previously associated with inflammation, disruption of membrane integrity, impaired neurotransmission, and neurotoxicity. Some items were associated with the development of cognitive impairment in girls but not boys.
Identification of these compounds sheds light on the biological processes that cause autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and may open the door to early detection and treatment.