Trial to see if blood test can diagnose autism

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Right now autism is diagnosed based on certain behaviors.

We do not have a black and white test that can say yes, this is autism.

That's why it is important to see if this blood test can help diagnose autism earlier and faster.

2-year-old Santiago knows a needle is coming, he's part of a new clinical trial looking at a blood test to diagnose autism.

Researchers are recruiting 660 children at 20 autism centers across the country, including two in New York.

Dr. Alexander Kolevzon is the principal investigator at Mount Sinai Hospital.

"We're looking for a biological signature that distinguishes people with developmental delays other than autism and people with autism," said Dr. Alexander Kolevzon, Mount Sinai Hospital.

The blood test looks at the RNA genetic code and how genes are programmed to make certain proteins.

"It's those proteins that play a critical role in a variety of things, including our brain function," Dr. Kolevzon said.

Researchers are searching for a pattern in that blood test, clues that could help confirm a diagnosis of autism and detect it earlier.

We know the earlier children get behavioral treatment, the better, and Santiago's mother says she hopes the study will find a better tool.

"If there can be things that can be developed so this can be detected sooner if we can help with that effort we are happy to do so," said Viany Orozco, Santiago's mother said.

The trial is open to children with any developmental delays or if autism is suspected. It's not for children who already have a definite diagnosis of autism from a team of specialists.

The research is paid for by the makers of the test, and right now the goal is just to see if it works.

They're recruiting patients until March of 2014. It's not clear how soon after that they would have results about whether the test is accurate.

For more info on the trial please visit: Autism Blood Test: http://www.synapdx.com/index.html

Information on the Clinical Trial: Http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT01810341?term=STORY+autism&rank=1&show_locs=Y#locn

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autism, health news, dr. sapna parikh

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