Are Any Autism Biomarkers Known?

Currently, physicians do not regularly use biomarkers to screen for autism risk. However, a handful of published studies to date have examined potential Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) biomarkers.

Some of the potential ASD biomarkers investigated are:

• Decreased brain activity in response to pictures of happy faces
• Abnormal readings in an EEG at 6-12 months of age
• Negative assessment of specific odors
• Abnormal concentration of metabolic proteins in the blood
• Abnormal concentration of cytokines (proteins required by the immune system) in the blood.
• Accelerated brain growth in infants