Protein Biomarkers in Autistic Children: A Review

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental and neurological disease that starts in beginning of childhood and remains all through life. ASD manifested by difficulties in social communications and interactions and constrained, repetitive actions. ASD prevalence is steadily rising globally, posing significant social and economic consequences. There is currently no medication for autism treatment because its etiology is not fully known. However, there are several behavioral therapies that can help with supplementary symptoms of autism, especially if started at a young age. Finding biomarkers for ASD is thus becoming important. Although diagnostic biomarkers have not yet been developed, investigations of immune system, inflammation, and microRNAs, as well as genomics and gene testing, proteomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics, have all been conducted. Many proteins can serve as ASD blood biomarkers since proteomic investigations show that several proteins' levels in plasma and serum are altered in ASD. This review aimed is to focus on protein biomarkers for ASD.