Autism-associated biomarkers and uses thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses biomarkers for human autism. The invention provides methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing human autism and autism-related disorders.

1 . A method for detecting a predisposition to autism or an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a human subject, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining a biological sample from a human subject; and   (b) detecting whether or not there is an alteration in the expression of a carbohydrate metabolic enzyme protein in the subject as compared to a non-autistic subject.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a child of a human subject. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbohydrate metabolic enzyme comprises sucrase isomaltase, maltase glucoamylase, lactase, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising detecting a decrease in Bacteriodetes, an increase in the Firmicute/Bacteroidete ratios, an increase in cumulative levels of Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, an increase in Beta-proteobacteria, or an increase in  Sutterella  sp. in the small intestine or large intestine of the subject. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising detecting an increase in  Sutterella  sp. in the small intestine or large intestine of the subject. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises detecting whether there is an alteration in a gene locus that encodes the carbohydrate metabolic enzyme. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the detecting comprises detecting whether mRNA expression of the protein is reduced. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human embryo, a human fetus, or an unborn human child. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample comprises blood, serum, sputum, lacrimal secretions, semen, vaginal secretions, fetal tissue, small intestine tissue, large intestine tissue, liver tissue, amniotic fluid, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 - 48 . (canceled)