EEG testing may be a way to diagnose children with Autism Spectrum disorders as young as 2 years old.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120625203010.htm
The new DSM V removed Aspergers Syndrome as a separate diagnosis from autism, placing it definitively under the autism umbrella while this EEG study shows that may have been premature. It illustrates deficiencies in right brain connections for both low functiong autistic people and people diagnosed with Aspergers but shows left brain connections that are stronger in people diagnosed with Aspergers than both autistic people and people in general.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1741-7015-11-175.pdf
There is a blood test in the works that could detect autism in one-year olds based on specific "gene networks" common to those with autism.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/technology/sci-tech/autism-breakthrough-as-genetic-signature-in-babies-as-young-as-a-year-found-blood-test-in-the-works/story-fni0c0qs-1226693188756
This research is linking maternal antibodies to the development of certain forms of autism, and could also lead to a blood test and possibly preventive treatment.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/07/09/mothers-immune-system-might-play-role-in-certain-cases-of-autism
As it stands now, diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders can be largely subjective. Clinicians have guidelines they're supposed to follow but they're only human, people are misdiagnosed every day. Girls are notoriously under-diagnosed. Non-subjective accurate physiological tests could be life-changing for millions of people. Children could get treatment years earlier when it's most effective and adults who are notoriously difficult to diagnose could get more definitive answers into what's going on with them and what to do about it.
Of course this could ultimately lead to prenatal testing which brings up several moral questions, but it's gratifying to see progress actually being made.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/06/120625203010.htm
The new DSM V removed Aspergers Syndrome as a separate diagnosis from autism, placing it definitively under the autism umbrella while this EEG study shows that may have been premature. It illustrates deficiencies in right brain connections for both low functiong autistic people and people diagnosed with Aspergers but shows left brain connections that are stronger in people diagnosed with Aspergers than both autistic people and people in general.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1741-7015-11-175.pdf
There is a blood test in the works that could detect autism in one-year olds based on specific "gene networks" common to those with autism.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/technology/sci-tech/autism-breakthrough-as-genetic-signature-in-babies-as-young-as-a-year-found-blood-test-in-the-works/story-fni0c0qs-1226693188756
This research is linking maternal antibodies to the development of certain forms of autism, and could also lead to a blood test and possibly preventive treatment.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/07/09/mothers-immune-system-might-play-role-in-certain-cases-of-autism
As it stands now, diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders can be largely subjective. Clinicians have guidelines they're supposed to follow but they're only human, people are misdiagnosed every day. Girls are notoriously under-diagnosed. Non-subjective accurate physiological tests could be life-changing for millions of people. Children could get treatment years earlier when it's most effective and adults who are notoriously difficult to diagnose could get more definitive answers into what's going on with them and what to do about it.
Of course this could ultimately lead to prenatal testing which brings up several moral questions, but it's gratifying to see progress actually being made.
