Researchers report that in cerebrospinal fluid samples from 33 infants, ages 0-3 months, who were later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, concentrations of the neuropeptide arginine vasopressin were significantly lower than in samples from infants without autism spectrum disorder; the results suggest a potential early biomarker of children at risk of the disorder, according to the authors.
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Article #19-19050: "Neonatal CSF vasopressin concentration predicts later medical record diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder," by Ozge Oztan, Joseph P. Garner, John N. Constantino, and Karen J. Parker.
MEDIA CONTACT: Karen J. Parker, Stanford University, CA; tel: 650-736-9863; e-mail: kjparker@stanford.edu
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences