Scientists in Australia have established a blood test which determines a child's risk of developing autism. Identifying the genetic markers for autism early on could be a way to test for the disorder, which effects one in every 150 kids.
The test, the product of three years of research, can identify 237 genetic markers in 146 genes linked to the disorder and has a 70 percent accuracy rate, researchers said.
"Using data from thousands of people with autism spectrum disorders and thousands of their relatives, the researchers identified hundreds of genetic markers and 146 genes related to autism," lead researcher Stan Skafidas said.
"We can now look at these children from a younger age [and] if appropriate intervene with our current behavioural or other interventions. Then also clinicians and researchers monitor them to get a better understand of what the true causes and interactions with environments and genes are that lead to this disease," he added.
The study can be found in the current edition of the Journal of Molecular Psychiatry.
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com