AUTISM-ASSOCIATED BIOMARKERS AND USES THEREOF
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)