SEARCH FOR A BIOMARKER for AUTISM.

H. V. Aposhian*, M. D. Avram, R. A. Zacharyan, U. K. Chowdhury, T. D. Wilson and M. M. Aposhian
The University of Arizona
Molecular and Cellular Biology Department
Tucson, Arizona

The incidence of autism is 1 per 166 births according to the CDC. At present the diagnosis of this disorder is time consuming, subjective and not always correct. No biomarker for it exists at present. The etiology of this disorder is controversial and will be discussed including the mercury concept.

Our group has used Differential in Gel –Electrophoresis (DIGE), a state of the science proteomics procedure, to examine plasma proteins and HPLC-ICP-MS for analysis of metals in urine in order to search for an easily measured biomarker for autism.

DIGE analysis of plasma indicated that male autistic children (n= 11) have less plasma haptoglobin relative to male non-autistic children (n= 4). Using nephelometry assays the plasma haptoglobin mean concentration was 26.1 mg/dl ± SE for autistic children and 83.2 mg/dl ± 15,6 SE for non autistic.

ICP-MS urinary analysis indicated that the cobalt concentration in the urine of autistic children in less than that in non autistic children.

Supported in a part by a grant from the Autism Research Institute, the Wallace Research Foundation and a bridge grant from CAN.

Keywords: autism, biomarkers, proteomics, urinary methods
Topic: Children’s Health.