A review of candidate urinary biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder.
BACKGROUND
Autism is a complex, heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition with a strong genetic component potentially impacted by various environmental factors influencing susceptibility. There are no reliable laboratory tests available to confirm an autism diagnosis.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the published literature and identify putative urinary biomarkers of autism.


METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic bibliographic databases.


RESULTS
Putative autism biomarkers were identified that could be categorized according to the key theories that exist regarding the etiology of autism: gastrointestinal factors, immune dysregulation, heavy metal toxicity, neurotransmitter abnormalities, and oxidative stress.


CONCLUSIONS
There is scope for specific urinary biomarkers to be useful for identification of autistic metabolic phenotypes.
Sansom Institute for Health Research, University of South Australia, Adelaide.
Lv
L
Wang
Manya T
MT
Angley
Jacobus P
JP
Gerber
Michael J
MJ
Sorich
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine*; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000652:urine*; D005998:Glycine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D006801:Humans; D019798:Neopterin / Q000652:urine; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000652:urine; D010455:Peptides / Q000652:urine; D011166:Porphyrins / Q000652:urine; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D015415:Biomarkers; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010455:Peptides; D011166:Porphyrins; C001807:indolylacryloylglycine; D019798:Neopterin; D005998:Glycine