Hair based Autism diagnostic aid?

[Au Naturel]

Yeah, the links are the bolded words: some metals and predict autisim diagnoses.

I am generaly not smart enough to get the whole picture. But I have alarm bells going off in my head that this is junk science. Especially after reading this (from the same article)

"But it is unclear how hair could provide information about exposures that occurred prenatally, when autism is thought to develop, Miller says. The first centimeter or so of hair growing from a follicle generally reflects only the past 30 days of someone’s exposures, though it’s feasible signatures extending beyond the hair’s lifespan could be detected with more development, he says."

I have serious issues with it too. We don't even have a solid definition of what autism is. Diagnosis is mostly just an informed opinion and the definition keeps changing. Predicting it is going to be sketchy. They also declined to reveal their data, another hit to their credibility.

I also take note that they are saying they don't care if we don't know how autism would leave chemical markers in hair as long as it works. That makes me even more skeptical.

Hopefully, we'll learn more as the FDA begins to review it.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

If you happen to be of the roughly 1/3 of the autistic population that tends to accumulate heavy metals for one reason or another, this may be helpful. Chelation: Harnessing and Enhancing Heavy Metal Detoxification—A Review (hindawi.com)

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I have serious issues with it too. We don't even have a solid definition of what autism is. Diagnosis is mostly just an informed opinion and the definition keeps changing. Predicting it is going to be sketchy. They also declined to reveal their data, another hit to their credibility.

I also take note that they are saying they don't care if we don't know how autism would leave chemical markers in hair as long as it works. That makes me even more skeptical.

Hopefully, we'll learn more as the FDA begins to review it.

I think, perhaps, some are making some leaps and assumptions that the research is not. In these studies,...some,...some (about 1/3) autistics sampled have elevated levels of heavy metals,...not all, in fact, most of the sampled autistics (2/3) do not, however, compared to the controls (1.5-2%) had elevated levels,...this is significant. This is an associated finding,...and has nothing to do with causation, but more a possible secondary result of a few altered genes and redox state that are more common within the autistic population. Looking at these studies, it is nothing more than one more associated statistical finding with regards to autism (i.e. lower oxytocin, lower dopamine, higher DHEA, lower GABA, a pro-oxidative redox state, altered immune function, inflammatory bowel disorders, tinnitus,...so on and so forth). Statistical findings with autism as compared to the general population.

As far as the FDA looking at a screening tool,...that's all it is,...so, if you have elevated heavy metals in your hair,...AND you have all the other associated symptomatology,...then you may have a stronger case for having autism.

 

[Judge]

Apparently this has been "under review" for some time, given that the FDA already formally approved the marketing of the Cognoa ASD Diagnosis Aid some eight months ago. However the "marketing" of such a process does not presently go beyond a stage of research and development through the analysis of clinicians.

No point in jumping the gun over such a process. Looks like it has a long way to go, with no promise of such a test formally making it to medical diagnosticians to administer to patients. Such optimistic, yet limited hype is more likely for shareholders and potential investors than the scientific community or the public at large.

"Been there, done that, got the t-shirt" as a former Pfizer investor.

FDA Authorizes Marketing of Diagnostic Aid for Autism Spectrum Disorder

 

[Crossbreed]

IMHO, autism [ASD1] is likely genetic. I don't expect any unusual readings in the hair of such.
Severe co-morbids [in ASD1.x+] are defects. It is reasonable to expect the presence such toxins.
If they are resolved (& reversible), I expect that person would still be ASD1.

(Also, lack of hair evidence might keep ASD1s from receiving an affirmative diagnosis.)

It is the "all autism is defective" paradigm.
It competes with the concept of neuro-diversity.

 

[Nervous Rex]

I have serious issues with it too. We don't even have a solid definition of what autism is. Diagnosis is mostly just an informed opinion and the definition keeps changing. Predicting it is going to be sketchy. They also declined to reveal their data, another hit to their credibility.

100% this.

Assuming that there is a correlation between autism and certain metal content in the hair, this has only established a correlation, not a causation. It's a tenuous connection at the very best and much more likely to be nothing more than guesswork.

Assuming they are doing a genetic test, the best they can do is identify a susceptibility or a probability - again, just guesswork.

I wouldn't trust this test any further than I could throw it.

 

[Nervous Rex]

I am not sure what to think about this. FDA cites hair-based autism diagnostic aid as ‘breakthrough’ | Spectrum | Autism Research News

I just read the article - it's very well-written and points out some very important caveats:

1) The test is designed to aid in diagnosis and can only indicate a probability of autism.

2) The company that is making the test is also the same company that did all the underlying research. So, we don't yet have independent verification of the company's research or the test itself.

3) The FDA review is not complete.

4) The article cited other experts that are skeptical of the test.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

(Also, lack of hair evidence might keep ASD1s from receiving an affirmative diagnosis.)

It is the "all autism is defective" paradigm.
It competes with the concept of neuro-diversity.

As long as the professionals doing the diagnosing understand the statistical breakdown and the genetic markers found in some autistics,...and not attribute the hair analysis to ALL autistics,...I think it might actually be more confirmatory in those specific cases. Like I suggested, it is simply one more, on a long list of other associated findings, found in some autistics. As we all know, even from a random sampling of people on this forum, not everyone's autism presentation is the same.

I think you and I both agree that this "all autism is defective" paradigm should be stamped out of existence. I think it is a thinking error that some have when not understanding statistical analysis and the rather broad presentation of autism.

 

[Jordy]

I have read about eye tracking based autism diagnosis before, I wonder if that is ever going to work. It would be great if we could give every child a 10 minute eye tracking test to know whether they have asd.

 

[Crossbreed]

I have read about eye tracking based autism diagnosis before, I wonder if that is ever going to work. It would be great if we could give every child a 10 minute eye tracking test to know whether they have asd.

If you are talking about "eye contact," mine varies from person to person.

 

[Neonatal RRT]

If you are talking about "eye contact," mine varies from person to person.

True,...but you're an old fart and can choose who and what you pay attention to.

Autism in babies: Signs, diagnosis, and next steps

 

[Neonatal RRT]

I have read about eye tracking based autism diagnosis before, I wonder if that is ever going to work. It would be great if we could give every child a 10 minute eye tracking test to know whether they have asd.

The eye-tracking test, is not going to pick up 100% of autism,...according to the researchers, themselves. However, I agree that if it picks up a significant percentage of autism, much earlier, any potential interventions may be more effective.

 

[Jordy]

If you are talking about "eye contact," mine varies from person to person.