Aussie eye scan for autism garners promising findings

Flinders University optometrist and senior lecturer Dr Paul Constable has indentified a potential biomarker for autism after finding children with the condition had a small reduction in the b-wave of the light-adapted electro-retinogram (ERG).The trial comprised 89 children with autism and compared th alongside a control group with 87 participants. Ages ranged from five to 21 years-old, however the mean age was about 12. They were tested in centres based in the UK, US and at Flinders University in Adelaide.“The retina is an extension of the brain, made of neural tissue and connected to the brain by the optic nerve, so it was an ideal place to look,” Constable said, after presenting his team’s preliminary findings at the recent International Society for Autism Research conference in Canada.{{quote-A:R-W:400-I:2-Q:“Now we have found a likely candidate biomarker for autism, the next stage is to look at young children, even infants, as the earlier we can get to intervention the better” -who:Dr Paul Constable, Flinders University}}“We found a pattern of subtle electrical signals in the retina that are different in children on the autism spectrum, which relates to differences in their brain development.“Now we have found a likely candidate biomarker for autism, the next stage is to look at young children, even infants, as the earlier we can get to intervention the better.”Constable has worked to identify retinal signs of autism for the past decade; inspired by the convergence of his optometric background and his son’s autism diagnosis at the age of three. The research is the first of its kind in recent times, with only one other similar body of work conducted in 1988.His work, in collaboration with Yale University in the US, and University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK, also paves the way to explore parallels with other conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety, which are often associated with an autism phenotype.Constable said the quick, non-intrusive eye scan was conducted with the RETeval device – developed by LKC Technologies – which is a non-mydriatic flash and flicker ERG and visual evoked potential device. It features an exclusive diabetic retinopathy protocol, however the company customised the software for Constable’s study.With autism typically diagnosed after the age of four in Australia, the research will now focus on testing children between 2–3 years old, and tracking their development over several years.If it garners consistent results, the research could lead to the development of a new screening tool, which could inform healthcare professionals to refer children for additional testing.“The benefit of early detection is two-fold. Intervention can begin sooner for the child – that may include speech therapy or occupational therapy. Developing language and communication is important, because without that children with autism become non-verbal and that can lead to a really bleak future,” Constable said.“Secondly, it’s important so the family can start to obtain support, and have everything explained to th so they can come to terms and make adjustments to the family life.”Constable said there is a one in five chance of families having additional children with autism if the first sibling is diagnosed. Such families would be ideal participants in his new study. More reading:Retina to inform Aussie autism research