NeuroPointDX Debuts Blood Test For Autism
Written by SAPL on November 8th, 2018 in Science and Technology.
The world of testing for disease has expanded more than ever.
While autism is thought to originate from a variety of causes, one company, NeuroPointDX, is assessing whether the processing of certain amino acids may be linked to those on the spectrum.
This week, the company debuted what is recognized as the first blood test for autism.
As with other therapeutics in the novel stage, there are currently several pitfalls, one being availability. All samples taken at clinical laboratories must be shipped to the company’s Madison, WI location. There are strict requirements for handling the tests, and NeuroPointDX is still looking for qualified laboratories that can perform the duties.
The other issue is cost–roughly $750-$1,000 to those that are more than likely to pay out of pocket because most insurance companies aren’t covering it yet.
The test will screen for several metabolic markers that have been identified through the Children’s Autism Metabolome Project, a study of 1,100 children conducted by NeuroPointDX in collaboration with the MIND Institute at the University of California-Davis.
Potentially therapeutics include both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical, such as dietary intervention.
