Science Library Abstract
Published: 2018
SYNOPSIS
Mount Sinai research could result in an early diagnostic system for autism spectrum disorder.
TITLE
Dynamical features in fetal and postnatal zinc-copper metabolic cycles predict the emergence of autism spectrum disorder
CITATION
Curtin P, et al. Science Advances. 2018;4:eaat1293.
SUMMARY
Using evidence found in baby teeth, researchers from the Institute for Exposomic Research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai report that cycles involved in zinc and copper metabolism are dysregulated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and can be used to predict who will later develop the condition. The researchers used the teeth to reconstruct prenatal and early-life exposures to nutrient and toxic elements in healthy and autistic children.