A review of candidate urinary biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder

Abstract

Context: 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.

Conclusion: There is scope for specific urinary biomarkers to be useful for identification of autistic metabolic phenotypes.

Keywords::

• Etiology
• gastrointestinal factors
• immune dysregulation
• heavy metal toxicity
• neurotransmitters, oxidative stress