Skip to main content

Researchers Discover Key to Earlier Autism Diagnosis

2 min read

By ActiveBeat Author

Health researchers in Canada have discovered a new method for detecting autism at a much younger age, giving parents and doctors a chance to intervene earlier in a child’s life.

Roughly one in sixty-eight children are diagnosed with some type of autism spectrum disorder, which can be characterized by social issues, communication problems, repetitive behaviors, and even cognitive delays.

Right now most children diagnosed with autism receive their diagnosis after age four. Researchers believe it would be more helpful to make that diagnosis much earlier in a child’s life.

In an effort to find the key to an earlier diagnosis, researchers at Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital examined the genetic data of 3,000 North American and European families. Eventually the researchers developed a formula they believe will help them calculate the genetic probability that a child will develop autism.

According to Sick Kids Hospital researcher Stephen Scherer, the unique genes that result in autism can actually be detected during prenatal development. “We’ve stumbled upon the core group of genes that is necessary for human cognition,” Scherer said. “It’s those segments of genes that are turned on very early in brain development and are very highly evolutionarily conserved — those are almost always found to be involved in autism.”

Scherer, whose report on the subject was recently published by the journal Nature Genetics, says his team plans to use their findings to develop a diagnostic tool that clinicians everywhere can use to detect autism. Scherer says he expects the tool will be available sometime in late 2014.

ActiveBeat Author

Contributor

Activebeat is dedicated to bringing readers all of the important news and information in the world of health. From recalls and outbreaks to fitness, nutrition and studies, we cover every aspect of health news, every day.

Trending Health News

Explore

Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked To Listeria Outbreak
By Katherine George Trending Health News

Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked To Listeria Outbreak

Hard boiled eggs may be the cause of a listeria outbreak in five different states. At the time of this post, seven people have fallen ill, four have been hospitalized, and there has been one death. The affected states are Florida, Texas, Maine, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. On Dec. 18, a food safety alert was […]

Read More about Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked To Listeria Outbreak

2 min read

Blackberry-Related Hepatitis A Outbreak in Six States
By Katherine George Trending Health News

Blackberry-Related Hepatitis A Outbreak in Six States

The most recent food recall is linked to store-bought blackberries which may have caused a hepatitis A outbreak in several states. Last month the CDC announced the initial recall of blackberries purchased at Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets during September 2019 as a result of a possible contamination. According to the CDC report, by December 2, […]

Read More about Blackberry-Related Hepatitis A Outbreak in Six States

2 min read