Autism Spectrum Disorders: Tier 1 Biochemical Panel
Condition Description
Genetics of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders which include autism, pervasive developmental delay-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. ASDs are characterized by impairments in social relationships, variable degrees of language and communication deficits, and repetitive behaviors and/or a narrow range of interests. The age of onset is prior to age 3 with a variable clinical presentation, ranging in severity both amongst individuals as well as amongst the various subtypes of ASDs. Additional clinical features may also be observed in individuals with an ASD, such as intellectual disability (up to ~50%) and seizures (~25%).
Known genetic causes of autism include cytogenetically visible chromosome abnormalities (3-5%), copy number variants – which include submicroscopic deletions and duplications (~6-7%), and single gene disorders (~5%).
EGL Genetics’s integrated testing strategy allows for a comprehensive cytogenetic, metabolic, and molecular analysis of ASD in your patient. For a summary of autism testing at EGL, please click here.
References:
- Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network Surveillance Year 2006 Principal Investigators and the CDC (2009). MMWR Surveill Summ, 58:1-20.
- Bolton et al. (2011). Br J Psychiatry, 198:289-294.
- Vorstman et al. (2006) Mol Psych, 11:18-28.
- Shen et al. (2010). Pediatrics, 125:e727-35.
- Miles JH (2011). Genet Med, 13:278-94.
- Schaefer et al. (2008). Genet Med, 10:301-5.
Genes (0)
Indications
This test is indicated for:
- Confirmation of a clinical diagnosis of autism or an autism spectrum disorder.
- Carrier testing in adults with a family history of autism or an autism spectrum disorder.
Methodology
Urine Organic Acids: Qualitative and quantitative determination performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
Plasma amino acids: Quantitative ion exchange chromatography, reported as micromoles/L.
Smith-Lemli-Opitz Screen: Isotope dilution method by LC-MSMS
Urine Oligosaccharides: The traditional one-dimensional thin-layer chromatography method for urine oliogsaccharides analysis has limited specificity and sensitivity and provides no structural information that is often needed for diagnoses. This test provides a sensitive screening method for structural analysis of urinary oligosaccharides, glycan and glycoamino acids by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry using quadrupole - time of flight detection.
GAGS: Dimethylene Blue Binding Quantitation and Thin Layer Chromatography
Detection and Reference Range
Urine Organic Acids: Test results can be influenced by the age and eating status of the patient. A second test (amino acids analysis/acylcarnitine profile) is typically required to confirm a diagnosis.
Plasma Amino Acids: This test is very sensitive for specific amino acid disorders, but detection can be sensitive to the age and eating status of the patient
Lysosomal Storage Disease Screen: This test provides a comprehensive tool for initial screening of lysosomal strorage disorders. The combination of urine oligosaccharide/free glycan and urine quantitative and fractionation of GAG's increases the sensitivity and specificity of urinary screening for lysosomal storage disorders. Due to the extreme sensitivity of the MALDI-TOF/TOF method, the urine oligo/free glycan profiles can detect lysosomal dysfunctions due to the accumulation of charged storage material such as glycosaminoglycans. While the quantification and fractionation of glycosaminoglycans provides additional information that differentiates between the different types of mucopolysaccharidosis. Abnormal results should be confirmed by enzyme and molecular analysis.
Urine Organic Acids:Will be included in report
Plasma Amino Acids: Will be included in report
Smith-Lemli-Opitz Screen: Reporting will be normal or abnormal based on the value of 7-dehydrocholesterol
Lysosomal Storage Disease Screen: Interpretation of the urinary oligosaccharide and free glycan profiles is by pattern recognition.
Specimen Requirements
2-5 ml
Sample should be collected while fasting or 2-4 hours post prandial. Centrifuge to separate plasma and freeze.
15-30 ml
Freeze sample. Fasting or first void sample is preferable.
Related Tests
- Autism Panel: Complete Tier 1
- Autism Panel: Tier 1 Cytogenetic and Molecular
- Autism Panel: Tier 2
- The components of Autism Panel: Tier 1 Biochemical are also available individually: urine organic acids, plasma amino acids, Smith-Lemli-Opitz Screen, and lysosomal storage disease screen.