Kalorama: Number Of Test Services For Autism Emerging

New York, NY /PRNewswire/ - There have been no big breakthroughs in finding a major new cause of autism, but the role of genetics becomes even more evident when the findings of the multitude of studies are considered. A number of test services for autism are emerging, according to Kalorama Information. There is a growing demand for cost efficient tests that can help physicians diagnose and monitor chronic diseases such autism. The healthcare market researcher's report, Novel Autism Diagnostics, examines selected autism test innovations that are being developed.

Novel Autism Diagnostics can be found at Kalorama Information: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/redirect.asp?progid=88372&productid=9749286.

"There is an emphasis on early detection as a future cost saving measure because therapy can be implemented when it can be most effective," said Bruce Carlson, Publisher of Kalorama Information. "Therefore there is a market opportunity for highly sensitive, specific and cost effective screening tests for early diagnosis."

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which now affects 1 in every 68 U.S. children per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), includes many syndromes that can range in severity from the social awkwardness and narrow interests to severe communication and intellectual disabilities. A diagnosis of ASD is arrived at via a combination of developmental screening and comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. In developmental screening, doctors test to see if children are learning basic skills when they should, or if they might have delays. A comprehensive diagnostic evaluation is needed if a doctor sees any signs of a problem.

Until a few years ago, genomic research had failed to decisively associate individual genes with the disorder. Numerous studies have been undertaken to uncover the genetic basics of autism. Next-generation sequencing technology has enabled unbiased assessments of whole genomes and exomes and a number of new tests and test services have been launched.

For example, the MSSNG project (https://www.mss.ng/), a collaboration among Autism Speaks, the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and Google reported that as of 2014, it had sequenced more than 1,000 samples and had 2,000 more lined up. The collaboration between Autism Speaks and Google is harnessing the power of genomic technology to sequence the whole genomes of 10,000 individuals affected by autism and making this wealth of anonymous data available for global research on the Google Cloud Platform. MSSNG aims to uncover the many subtypes of autism and lead to individualized treatments for autism and its associated medical conditions.

Examples of laboratory tests for ASD include Emory Genetics Laboratory's next-generation sequencing ASD panel of 61 genes that targets genetic syndromes that include autism or autistic features. These genes have been associated with nonsyndromic autism and genes associated with conditions involved in the differential diagnosis of Rett syndrome and/or Angelman syndrome.

Novel Autism Diagnostics outlines many of the current approaches to autism testing, including molecular testing, pre-disposition screening, targeted sequencing-based testing, next-generation sequencing with modeling, genetic risk assessment / testing, cloud platform approaches, microarrays, end-to-end sequencing, gene variants, and blood-based genetic testing.

The report looks at the companies behind these testing approaches as well, including Asuragen, Claritas Genomics, Illumina, IntegraGen, LabCorp, Life Technologies, and RainDance Technologies.

The information presented in this report is the result of data gathered from government reports, company product literature and other corporate brochures and documents, as well as information found in the scientific and trade press.

Novel Autism Diagnostics can be found at Kalorama Information: http://www.kaloramainformation.com/redirect.asp?progid=88372&productid=9749286.

About Kalorama Information
Kalorama Information, a division of MarketResearch.com, supplies the latest in independent medical market research in diagnostics, biotech, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and healthcare; as well as a full range of custom research services. Reports can be purchased through Kalorama's website and are also available on www.marketresearch.com and www.profound.com.

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