‘Breakthrough!’: Scientists can now use hair to diagnose autism in children

A universal test developed by scientists to diagnose autism in infants, it can use a single strand of hair. Higher lead and aluminum levels in children with autism are examined in sample analysis.

A peer-reviewed study showed that the test, which requires sending hair samples to a lab for analysis, accurately identifies autism 81% of the time.

Other researchers hailed the test as a “breakthrough” advance in a notoriously hard-to-diagnose disease that affects millions of children around the world.

In the absence of an established test for this disorder, medical professionals must rely on the child’s developmental history and behavior. Diagnosis is often very late as a result.

But researchers at New York-based startup LinusBio say their new test should not be used alone, but in combination with other approaches. They argue that shortening the diagnostic window could be beneficial.

Manish Arora, the company’s co-founder and CEO, told NBC News, “The distinct rhythms of autism can be detected in about a centimeter of hair.

“The problem with autism is that it is diagnosed at the average age of four. By then, the brain is already well developed. We want to be able to intervene early.”

First, the surface layer of the hair is removed with a laser for a test. A second, more powerful laser is then used to scan the hair, taking measurements at 650 points per centimeter. As a result, the strands become plasma.

Look for elements such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, zinc and copper, as well as other compounds associated with autism. Previous studies have found that the hair of children with autism contains higher concentrations of all three elemental metals.

It may be related to genetic or environmental variables, but researchers don’t yet know why this is the case.
This information feeds into a computer algorithm that looks for patterns suggestive of autism.

It was created using a survey of thousands of people conducted in Sweden and the United States. Less than half an inch or a centimeter can capture a month’s worth of her exposure to the outside world.

Researchers evaluated the procedure on hair samples taken from 220 Japanese children about one month old. The results were then contrasted with a clinical diagnosis of autism made when the child was approximately 4 years old.

In 394 cases, scientists successfully detected autism (81% of the total). It correctly detected autism in 96.4% of children and correctly provided complete clear status in her 75.4% of non-autistic children.

After the findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, researchers are already working on a new, expanded study of 2,000 participants.

Scientists not involved in the study backed the test, even though they said more research was needed, the Daily Mail reported.

Autistic people’s brains function differently than other people. People with this syndrome may have difficulty communicating, be unable to understand what others are thinking or feeling, and feel anxious or uncomfortable in new situations or social situations.

Scientists remain uncertain about the exact cause of the disease, despite the fact that environmental and genetic variables are thought to be involved. It is not caused by inappropriate parenting, vaccination, diet, or infection.
A study in the United States found that autism diagnoses increased by 50% in the three years since 2017.

In particular, significant research has shown that taking Xanax during pregnancy does not affect the chances of your baby developing autism.