Autism Diagnosis
Available At Birth By Examining the Placenta - Autism Spectrum Disorder
(ASD)
June 26th 2006
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Placenta
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Yale researchers believe that they can diagnose autism at birth by
identifying a placental abnormality, specifically the presence of
trophoblast inclusions, which is a marker for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Autism is a developmental disorder that has a profound effect on
socialization, communication, learning and other behaviors. According
to the researchers, one in every 200 children is diagnosed with a
autism.
Harvey J. Kliman, M.D., believes the best time to make the diagnosis is
at birth. Kilman is the senior author of the study, and a research
scientist in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive
Sciences at the Yale School of Medicine. "By serendipity, at a dinner
party I happened to sit next to George M. Anderson, a research scientist
in the Yale Child Study Center who had access to many cases of children
with ASD. We realized that by working together we might be able to
determine if this placental abnormality could be a useful clinical
marker."
Previously, Kilman had observed an unusual pathologic finding in the
placentas from children with Asperger Syndrome, an ASD condition which,
like autism, impairs the ability to relate to others.
Through microscopic examinations, researchers compared placenta tissues
from 13 children with ASD to those from 61 unaffected children for the
presence of the trophoblast inclusions. The placentas from ASD children
were three times more likely to have the inclusions.
The findings were not completely unexpected, Kilman explains, "We knew
that trophoblast inclusions were increased in cases of chromosome
abnormalities and genetic diseases, but we had no idea whether they
would be significantly increased in cases of ASD. These results are
consistent with studies by others who have shown that ASD has a clear
genetic basis."
The researchers believe that the inclusions are the product of abnormal
folding of microscopic layers in the placenta and appear to result from
altered cell growth. Kilman compares the finding to the automobile
check-engine light. "When the light goes on it simply means that
something is not right. If the light is on and there is, for example,
steam coming from under the hood, then it is likely that the radiator is
leaking. However, if the check engine light is on and there is nothing
obviously wrong, then the car should be carefully checked."
The findings are
reported in the June 26 online issue of Biological Psychiatry.
Dan Wilson
Best Syndication
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Autism
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