A test for autism is on the horizon, powered by A.I.

Author: Philip Perry / Source: Big Think

BIRMINGHAM, UNITED KINGDOM: Joshua Whitehouse (11) poses among his drawings at ‘Number 9 Gallery’ in Birmingham, 14 March 2002. The young artist suffering from a rare form of Autism called Aspergers syndrome have put all his artistic efforts on drawing Ne

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a very broad set of neurodevelopmental conditions.

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Around 1 in 160 children have it worldwide. It’s a much larger ratio in the U.S. at 1 in 68. While symptoms vary significantly, those who experience ASD often have trouble communicating, managing their emotions or developing social skills.

Some with autism develop speech problems. Others have difficulty reading social situations or adapting to new environments. Others still exhibit anxiety, hyperactivity or other compulsive behaviors. ASD sometimes comes with cognitive impairment, but not always.

Children usually start showing signs of autism at 18 months of age or so. Research has shown that early intervention can help make the condition more manageable. Unfortunately, no one knows what causes it, although it’s thought to have both genetic and environmental components. What’s more, no reliable diagnostic is currently in place (). But thanks to work by an international team of scientists, an autism test is now on the horizon.

Researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK, partnering with colleagues at the University of Bologna, in Italy, have identified a number of different biomarkers present in those with autism, that’s absent in those who don’t. Their discovery should lead to a medical test for the condition—either a blood or urine test—a first of its kind. The results of the study were published in the journal Molecular Autism.