Doctors May Soon Use New Test to Timely Treat Autism in Pakistani Children

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a urine test that may help identify autism in children much earlier than traditional behavioral screenings.

The experimental test analyzes 17 microbial metabolites (chemical compounds) produced by gut microorganisms and was able to distinguish autistic children from neurotypical children with around 90 percent accuracy in a recent study.

Scientists found that a large majority of children with autism showed unusually high levels of several of these metabolites in their urine. The findings suggest changes in gut-related biological activity may be strongly linked to autism spectrum disorder.

The study, published in Molecular Psychiatry, examined 52 children diagnosed with autism and 47 neurotypical children between the ages of two and 11 from multiple US states.

Researchers reported that several metabolites connected to tryptophan metabolism were significantly elevated in autistic children. Tryptophan is an amino acid commonly found in foods such as fish, poultry and dairy products.

The team believes the metabolites may influence brain signaling because they resemble altered forms of serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters involved in mood, memory, attention and cognition. Scientists say this biological pathway could help explain symptoms linked to autism, including communication difficulties, anxiety and behavioral differences.

Unlike standard autism assessments, which often rely on long-term observation, questionnaires and developmental evaluations, the urine-based screening only needs to be performed once and could potentially shorten diagnosis timelines.

Researchers said earlier identification of autism can improve access to behavioral therapies and developmental support during critical childhood years.

The study also proposed a possible subtype called “ASD associated with microbially-derived metabolites,” suggesting gut-related metabolic changes may be involved in a large share of autism cases.

While the results are considered promising, scientists emphasized that larger clinical studies are still needed before the test can be used widely in hospitals or diagnostic centers.