Urine Test Could Detect Autism

[Guest guest]

Shades of Wakefield. Mr. Nicholson better watch his step or he could be next.

Winnie

(http://www.wfsb.com/health/23779303/detail.html?treets=hart & tid=2657703712813 & tml=hart_irr & tmi=hart_irr_1_01300206032010 & ts=H)

Urine Test Could Detect Autism

Early Detection Could Aid Treatment

POSTED: 9:36 am EDT June 3, 2010

New research says that autistic children have chemical fingerprints in their urine that could help diagnose the condition earlier and more easily. Researchers from Imperial College London said in a news release that people with autism -- a spectrum of disorders that usually include communication and social problems -- also have a different makeup of bacteria in their intestinal tracts than other people. Currently, diagnosis requires a range of tests. The news release said that early interventions can help improve the outcomes for children with autism, so a test that can be given before the age of 18 months would be helpful. "Autism is a condition that affects a person's social skills, so at first it might seem strange that there's a relationship between autism and what's happening in someone's gut. However, your metabolism and the makeup of your gut bacteria reflect all sorts of things, including your lifestyle and your genes," researcher Nicholson said. He said it was not yet clear if the metabolic differences are part of what causes autism or if they are a symptom. The study was based on urine samples from just over 100 children in three groups: those who had been diagnosed with autism, those who had a sibling with autism and those who had no autism in their families.

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