Urine Test For Autism

An anonymous reader writes "Defining and diagnosing autism has been a controversial process — but may be a little less so now. Children with autism have a different chemical fingerprint in their urine than non-autistic children, according to new research. The difference stems from a previously documented difference in gut bacteria found in autistic individuals. The possibility of a simple pee test matters because currently, children are assessed for autism through a lengthy testing process that explores a child's social interaction, communication, and imaginative skills. Being able to identify the condition earlier and at a lower cost could leave more time and money for treatment."

Comments

Diet?

[Bazman]

Maybe these kids just aren't eating what other kids are eating.

Sadly even my university access doesnt extend to the Journal of Proteome Research without me stumping up $30 for two days of access, so I can't check the statistics. They had a sample of 39 (35M + 4F) autistic children, their 28 siblings (14M+14F), and 34 age-matched controls (17F+17M). Don't know why they didnt age- and sex-match the controls.

Pretty small sample, and if you look for enough different proteins in urine you might well find something different.

  NEEDS MOAR DATA! And an open access journal!

Re:Labeling

[dgatwood]

First, the earlier doctors can identify it, the more likely it is that scientists will be able to identify the very first expression of whatever gene causes it, and thus eventually prevent that change in others. They might even find that there's some underlying environmental cause that triggers said gene expression, in which case it could be eliminated entirely through early enough testing and treatment. Either way, identifying it early enough is key to being able to find the root cause.

Second, the earlier autism is identified in a kid, the more likely that behavioral therapy will produce a more functional adult.

Autistic Diet

[Guppy]

Maybe these kids just aren't eating what other kids are eating.

Exactly what I was thinking, it is well known that autistic persons tend to be notoriously picky about their diet. This is one of the main explanations for the findings of abnormal gut flora (and the contentious alternative that the casual link goes the other direction).

Which is not to say that the casual link between bacteria and autism necessarily only flows one way, it could be both. For instance, consider a hypothetical "basic autism" -> very picky eating -> abnormal gut flora -> additional problems that get lumped in with "autism symptoms". What I'm curious to know if anyone's tried a "Fecal Transplant" to normalize an autistic person's gut bacteria.

Re:Labeling

[jisatsusha]

It isn't like you'll suddenly stop being autistic because you forgot you had it.

As someone with Asperger's, my experience has shown it to be much the opposite.

I have developed certain behaviours when it comes to dealing with people, but they still require me to be conscious of the situation. As soon as I stop doing so, I usually slip back into my old behaviours.

Embrace the difference!

[louarnkoz]

There is strong documentation that personalities with mild form of autism can be not only functional, but brilliant. In fact, that may be the very reason why autism is still so frequent in the population. If the genes of autisms had no benefit whatsoever, natural selection would drive the condition out of the gene pool.

If the condition does have benefits, then is treatment the right approach? The typical goal of treatment is to "reduce you to normal," presumably so you don't bother other people. But from the society point of view, that's very counterproductive. Society at large will benefit from more geniuses.It would probably benefit even more if we learned to accomodate them!