Why do I have a bitter taste in my mouth? By Jon Johnson

A bitter or bad taste in the mouth can be a normal reaction to eating pungent or sour foods. However, when the taste lasts for a long time or happens unexpectedly, it can be concerning.

Taste is a complex sense that can be affected by many factors, including poor dental hygiene, dry mouth, or pregnancy.

Treating a persistent bitter taste involves treating any underlying conditions, but people can manage the unpleasant taste with some simple home remedies in the meantime.

In this article, we cover 13 possible causes of a bitter taste in the mouth. We also discuss symptoms and treatments.

Signs and symptoms

A persistent altered taste in the mouth is known medically as dysgeusia. This taste is described as unpleasant and can last for a long time until the underlying cause is treated.

People with dysgeusia may experience a constant taste that they often describe as one of the following:

• bitter
• metallic
• rancid or foul
• salty

The taste can be distracting, and may even make it hard to taste other things while eating or drinking. A person may still have the taste even after brushing their teeth. They may also experience other symptoms depending on the cause.

Causes

Many of the causes of a bitter taste in the mouth are not serious. However, the symptoms can be irritating and may interfere with a person's regular diet or their enjoyment of daily life.

The following conditions can cause a bitter taste in the mouth:

Dry mouth

A dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs when the mouth does not produce enough saliva. Because saliva helps reduce the bacteria in the mouth, having less saliva means that more bacteria can survive.

People with xerostomia feel a sticky, dry feeling in their mouth. This could be caused by factors such as medications, pre-existing disorders, or tobacco use. A person can also get dry mouth if they have a stuffy nose because breathing through the mouth can dry it out.

People with a persistently dry mouth should talk to their doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Dental issues

Poor dental hygiene can also cause a bitter taste in the mouth. It may also cause an increase in cavities, infections, and gum disease or gingivitis.

Many common dental issues can be avoided by regularly brushing and flossing the teeth. Some people may also find that using a tongue scraper helps to clear up some symptoms.

Using an antibacterial mouthwash in between brushing may help keep foul-tasting bacteria to a minimum.

Pregnancy

A bitter or metallic taste in the mouth is a common complaint during the first trimester of pregnancy.

The hormones in the body fluctuate during pregnancy. This variation can affect the senses, which can cause specific cravings and make some foods or smells seem disgusting.

Many people who are pregnant also notice a metallic, bitter, or tinny taste in their mouths. This can be annoying, but it usually goes away later in the pregnancy or after giving birth.

Burning mouth syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome is a condition that causes a burning sensation in the mouth. The feeling can vary, but many describe it as similar to eating spicy peppers. Alongside, some people may also experience a bitter or rancid taste in their mouth.

The symptoms of burning mouth syndrome may appear sporadically, but it can also be chronic and last for a long time.

Some people with the syndrome may have difficulty eating or drinking, while others may find that this relieves their symptoms.

Menopause

Women going through menopause may also experience a bitter taste in their mouth. This could be due to lower levels of estrogen in the body, which can lead to a secondary condition, such as burning mouth syndrome. It may also be due to a persistently dry mouth.

GERD or acid reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid reflux may be the source of an unwanted bitter taste in the mouth.

These conditions occur when the muscle or sphincter at the top of the stomach becomes weak and allows acid or bile to rise up into the food pipe.

GERD tends to irritate the food pipe, causing a burning sensation in the chest or abdomen. It can also bring about a foul or bitter taste in the mouth, which may persist as long as the other symptoms.

Oral thrush

A yeast infection in the mouth often causes white spots or blotches to appear on the tongue, mouth, or throat. It may also cause a bitter or unpleasant taste that may persist until the infection is treated.

Pine nut syndrome

In some people, eating pine nuts may cause a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth. This often happens 1 to 3 days after eating pine nuts. The syndrome also shows no other symptoms and goes away after a couple of weeks.

Stress and anxiety

High stress and anxiety levels can stimulate the stress response in the body, which often alters a person's sense of taste. Anxiety can cause dry mouth, which frequently results in a bitter taste.

Nerve damage

Like our other senses, taste buds are directly connected to the nerves of the brain. Damage to the nerves can cause a change in how a person experiences tastes.

Nerve damage can result from a head injury or conditions that include the following:

• epilepsy
• multiple sclerosis
• brain tumors
• Bell's palsy
• dementia

Medications and oral supplements

In some people, certain medicines, supplements, or medical treatments may cause a bitter taste in the mouth. This may be because the medicines taste bitter or because chemicals in them are excreted into the saliva.

A person should consult their doctor to find out if their medications could be causing a bitter taste.

Medications that may lead to a bitter taste include:

• certain antibiotics
• some cardiac drugs
• vitamins that contain minerals or metals, such as copper, iron, or zinc
• lithium drugs

Illnesses

Certain illnesses, including sinus infections or colds, can be accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth.

During these illnesses, the body sends out inflammatory proteins to capture harmful cells. These proteins may also affect the tongue and taste buds, which could make a person experience a taste in their mouth that is more bitter than normal.

Cancer treatment

A person who is undergoing cancertreatment may experience an off taste in their mouth when eating or drinking.

Chemotherapy and radiation treatment may irritate the taste buds in some people, which may cause even simple things, such as plain toast or water, to have a bitter or unpleasant taste.

Treatment and home remedies

Treating a bitter taste in the mouth for good normally involves treating the underlying cause. A doctor can often diagnose the problem by asking about any other symptoms and medications and running tests. They can then recommend appropriate treatments.

Home remedies may help some people find temporary relief from their symptoms while looking for a permanent solution, though they may not work for everyone.

Home remedies that may help reduce a bitter taste in the mouth include:

• regular dental care, such as brushing, flossing, and using an antibacterial mouthwash
• chewing sugar-free gum to keep saliva moving in the mouth
• drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day
• avoiding risk factors for acid reflux, such as eating greasy or spicy foods, and reducing or eliminating tobacco products and alcohol
• rinsing the mouth with a teaspoon of baking soda added to a glass of water

• Outlook

  Experiencing a bitter taste in the mouth is fairly common, and it should not be an immediate reason to be concerned.
  Most bitter tastes are treatable, and a person may be able to manage this symptom while a doctor diagnoses the cause.
  Once the cause is found and treatment begins, the taste buds should return to normal, and the bitter taste in the mouth should disappear.

خودکلامی کس مرض کی علامت؟

آپ نے ایسے افراد تو دیکھیں ہوں گے جو اپنے آپ سے باتیں کرنے کے عادی ہوتے ہیں اور یہ جذباتی طور پر انتشار اور ڈپریشن کی نشانی ہوسکتی ہے۔

یہ بات امریکا میں ہونے والی ایک طبی تحقیق میں سامنے آئی۔

ایریزونا یونیورسٹی کی تحقیق میں بتایا گیا کہ خودکلامی کرنے کے عادی ہونا نرگسیت کی علامت کی بجائے ڈپریشن کی نشانی ہوسکتی ہے۔

مزید پڑھیں : ذہنی صحت کے لیے 10 نقصان دہ عادات

تحقیق میں دریافت کیا گیا کہ اپنے آپ سے اکثر باتیں کرنا اور ذہنی الجھنوں کے درمیان تعلق موجود ہے۔

تحقیق کے مطابق جذباتی طور پر منفی اثرات مرتب ہونے سے جذباتی انتشار بڑھتا ہے جس سے ذہنی بے چینی، فکرمندی، تناﺅ اور ڈپریشن وغیرہ طاری ہوسکتے ہیں۔

محققین نے دریافت کیا کہ جو لوگ اکثر خودکلامی کرتے ہیں وہ ڈپریشن کے شکار ہوسکتے ہیں مگر دیگر ذہنی عارضے بھی انہیں لاحق ہوسکتے ہیں۔

اس تحقیق کے دوران امریکا اور جرمنی سے تعلق رکھنے والے 5 ہزار کے قریب افراد کے ڈیٹا کا تجزیہ کیا گیا۔

یہ بھی پڑھیں : پاکستان میں ذہنی بیماریاں اور ہماری بے حسی

نتائج سے معلوم ہوا کہ خودکلامی اور ڈپریشن کے درمیان تعلق موجود ہے اور پہلی بار اس بات پر تفصیلی روشنی ڈالی گئی ہے۔

محققین نے مزید بتایا کہ نتائج سے عندیہ ملتا ہے کہ خودکلامی ہوسکتا ہے کہ ڈپریشن کا تجزیہ کرنے کے لیے بہت زیادہ اچھا عنصر نہ ہو مگر یہ ذہنی مسائل کی جانب اشارہ ضرور ہوسکتا ہے اور اس حوالے سے تفصیلی تجزیے کی ضرورت ہوتی ہے۔

انہوں نے مزید کہا کہ زندگی میں پیش آنے والی منفی واقعات ذہنی بے چینی بڑھاتے ہیں اور جب ان کے بارے میں لوگ سوچتے ہیں تو وہ اپنے آپ سے باتیں کرنے لگتے ہیں۔

What are the health benefits of being social?

Humans are born into social groups and live their entire lives as a part of society, so the social element can't easily be removed from the evolution of an individual. But how does social contact affect our health?

As human beings, we dream, learn, grow, and work as part of society. The society that we're born into and the societies that we navigate throughout our lives shape our personal identities.

And in fact, so keen are we to communicate with each other — even beyond geographical limitations — that we've developed a plethora of tools to help us achieve that, including pen and paper, telegraph, telephone, and the Internet.

When I asked my colleagues in the Medical News Today office what benefits — if any — they thought that they derived from social connection, most of them said that they found some measure of comfort in social interaction.

Some colleagues said that they enjoyed the shared experiences, whereas others explained that friends kept them motivated to do "some healthful activities from time to time." Others said that being around friends helped them to "destress and put things into perspective."

Even the most introverted among us crave social contact from time to time. But why is that, and does being social bring us any actual health benefits?

In this Spotlight, we investigate why humans thrive in society, and how social interaction impacts our mental and physical well-being.

Why are we a social species?

It may be intuitive to say that being social has helped our species to not only survive but also thrive over millions of years. But why is that so?

A study from 2011, which was published in the journal Nature, argues that being social became a key strength for the primate ancestors of humans when they switched from foraging for food by night (so that they could use darkness as a shield) to carrying out their activities by day (which rendered them more vulnerable to a wider range of predators).

Another more recent study — also in the journal Nature — suggests that early hominids may have evolved a basic form of language because they needed more advanced communication to share ideas. This, they say, helped our ancestors to develop tools that allowed them to live better and evolve further.

Researchers have also suggested that humans are innately compassionatebeings, and that our compassion and empathy have served us well — since the capacity to care and share is highly valued by individuals looking for a mate.

After all, in order for a species to survive, its members have to not only procreate, but also be able to shield their offspring from harm and shield peers from injury, so that they can derive strength from collaboration in the face of adversity.

'Face-to-face contact is like a vaccine'

Psychologist Susan Pinker states that direct person-to-person contact triggers parts of our nervous system that release a "cocktail" of neurotransmitters tasked with regulating our response to stress and anxiety.

In other words, when we communicate with people face-to-face, it could help to make us more resilient to stress factors in the long run.

"Face-to-face contact releases a whole cascade of neurotransmitters and, like a vaccine, they protect you now, in the present, and well into the future, so simply [...] shaking hands, giving somebody a high-five is enough to release oxytocin, which increases your level of trust, and it lowers your cortisol levels, so it lowers your stress."

Susan Pinker

She adds that, as a result of social interaction, "dopamine is [also] generated, which gives us a little high and it kills pain, it's like a naturally produced morphine."

This idea is corroborated by the findings of a study covered by MNT last year, which concluded that the touch of a romantic partner can actually help to relieve physical pain.

Another study from last year showed that those undergoing chemotherapy for cancertend to fare better if they have access to social support and interaction, suggesting that just by being around family, friends, or peers going through similar experiences can strengthen us both mentally and physically.

Social motivation and brain power

Research has shown that by interacting with others, we actually train our brains. Social motivation and social contact can help to improve memory formation and recall and protects the brain from neurodegenerative diseases.

Prof. Matthew Lieberman — from the University of California, Los Angeles — specializes in the mechanics of what he calls our "social brain," which is the neural activity related to social interaction, and the brain benefits that are afforded by it.

He has seen, for instance, that "if you learn in order to teach someone else, then you learn better than if you learn in order to take a test."

This goes against the prominent beliefs in modern educational systems, in which learning on one's own, for the sake of accumulating knowledge and skills, is typically preferred.

Instead, however, Prof. Lieberman notes that "when you're socially motivated to learn, the social brain can do the learning and it can do it better than the analytical network that you typically activate when you try to memorize."

A study published last year also found that maintaining close friendships later in life could help to prevent mental decline.

The research — led by scientists at the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, IL — found that "SuperAgers," defined as people aged 80 and above but who have the mental agility of much younger people, appear to have one thing in common: close friends.

"While both SuperAgers and [their peers with average cognitive performance] endorsed high levels of psychological well-being," explain the authors, "SuperAgers endorsed greater levels of positive social relationships than their cognitively average-for-age peers."

Social context determines healthful habits

Several recent studies have also linked social connection with physical health benefits, and better habits with a more healthful lifestyle. Researchers at Maastricht University Medical Centre in the Netherlands saw that socially active individuals have a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.

In contrast, individuals who did not participate in social activities, such as going out with friends or joining a club, had a 60 percent higher risk of developing a condition called "prediabetes," which generally predates diabetes.

It might be that just being around people who encourage us to keep healthful habits or achieve challenging lifestyle goals could help us to remain mindful of our eating, exercise, and other lifestyle-related habits.

A recent study has also found that people who exercised in a group rather than on their own had decreased stress levels and had better mental and physical well-being at the end of a 12-week fitness program.

Their peers who went for solo fitness sessions, or who exercised with only one partner, did not experience the same improvements.

"The communal benefits of coming together with friends and colleagues, and doing something difficult, while encouraging one another, pays dividends beyond exercising alone," notes the study's lead author.

A tool for happiness and longevity

Finally, enjoying close social ties — with friends, partners, or family members — can make us happy and improve our overall life satisfaction in the long run.

Studies have shown that those who enjoy close friendships over their teenage years aren't just happy as adolescents; they also have a lower rate of depression or anxiety later in life.

Similar trends have been observed in the case of older adults. Research published in 2016 revealed that seniors who "liv[e] a socially active life and prioritiz[e] social goals [have] higher late-life satisfaction."

Interestingly, researchers who have studied the inhabitants of so-called Blue Zones around the world — places with a high number of SuperAgers who live to ripe old age while maintaining good health and cognitive function — have noted that while other elements related to diet and lifestyle varied widely, they all appeared to be dedicated to being highly socially active.

Dr. Archelle Georgiou, who studied SuperAgers on the isolated island of Ikaria in Greece, saw that they were constantly surrounded by family, neighbors, and other members of their community, and that they all actively supported each other.

Ikarians, Dr. Georgiou found out, got together almost every evening to destress and shed the worry load of the day.

Similarly, the authors of Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life, who interviewed the supercentenarians of the village Ogimi — in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa — saw that being socially connected was key in these people's lives.

"It is customary in Okinawa to form close bonds within local communities. A moai is an informal group of people with common interests who look out for one another. For many, serving the community becomes part of their ikigai [life purpose]."

The authors explain that members of a moai"maintain emotional and financial stability," as all the other members of their group help them out if they're in trouble or going through rough times.

Granted, being socially active is not necessarily something that all of us can do all the time. We just need a little space sometimes, and that's O.K.; enjoying our own company helps us to get to know ourselves better and develop some of our inner strengths.

However, at least occasionally, socializing with people — whether they're our close friends or new acquaintances — can allow us to get out of our own heads a little and gain fresh insights about the world.

Being happier, learning better, and living longer are all advantages that should motivate even the most dedicated of loners to get out there and mingle. Now close your browser and give that old friend of yours a call.

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Fathers, your stress could affect your child's brain By Catharine Paddock PhD Fact checked by Jasmin Collier

During his lifetime, a father's experience of stress can alter his sperm in ways that impact the development of his offspring — including their brains and how they themselves respond to stress.

A study that was presented recently at the 2018 annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, held in Austin, TX, reveals fresh insights into how this happens.

It has already been established that a mother's experience during pregnancy — including the quality of her diet, stress, and infection — can influence the development of her offspring, including their brains.

The new research — which was led by Tracy Bale, who is a professor of pharmacology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore — increases our understanding of how fathers can also influence the brain development of their offspring.

The study, which is yet to be published, concerns the field of epigenetics, relating to factors that can alter the instructions held in our DNA code without changing the code itself.

Epigenetics, health, and disease

Epigenetic changes play an important role in health and disease. For instance, they can change what happens in cells by switching genes on and off and by determining which proteins are produced.

Furthermore, there is mounting evidence from epigenetics regarding how the environmental exposures and experiences of one generation can influence the biological development and disease risks of the next through mechanisms of inheritance.

Cancer was one of the first human diseases that researchers linked to epigenetic changes.

Studies from as early as the 1980s found that tumor tissue from people with colorectal cancer had fewer epigenetic markers known as DNA methylation than normal tissue from the same individuals.

The new study reveals the process through which a lifetime of mild stress in male mice can change specific epigenetic markers in their sperm to shape brain development and impair the stress response of their offspring.

Epigenetic changes and microRNAs

In previous work, Prof. Bale — then at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia — discovered that the epigenetic changes are conveyed through microRNAs, a family of molecules that can turn genes on and off. While they do not code for proteins, micr4oRNAs can influence their production.

That work showed that offspring fathered by adult mice that had experienced "chronic periods of mild stress" had an impaired stress response.

Examples of mild stress challenges included moving the animals to new cages and exposing them to the urine of a predator species, such as that of foxes.

Other research has shown that alterations in the normal stress response may be linked to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other psychiatric conditions.

At the meeting, Prof. Bale presented her latest work, in which she uncovered the biological mechanism that allows changes in the father's microRNA to be passed onto his offspring.

Vesicles holding microRNAs fuse with sperm

Once male sperm forms in the testes, it travels to the caput epididymis, where it matures. A part of the maturing process involves fusing the male "germ cells" with tiny sacs, or vesicles, produced by the caput epididymis.

The vesicles that are fused to the sperm contain microRNAs — including those that may have changed as a result of the father's stress experience. These microRNAs ultimately influence gene expression in the offspring.

The findings suggest that even mild stress challenges in fathers can result in a noticeable change in the development, and therefore health, of their offspring.

The hope is that by learning more about these underlying hereditary mechanisms, we stand a better chance of being able to treat and prevent some of the diseases that they contribute to.

How do you get rid of acne around your nose? By Jenna Fletcher Reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, APRN

Acne is one of the most common skin conditions people have. While acne can appear almost anywhere on the body, the nose is particularly prone. A person can prevent future breakouts on their nose by finding the cause and type of acne they have.

Acne vulgaris is characterized by blackheads or whiteheads. It is a chronic skin condition that happens when the hair follicles and their associated glands become swollen or blocked with oil.

Acne rosacea is a type of rosacea, a common skin condition that affects the face. People with rosacea experience redness of the skin that can be lasting or pass quickly.

Rosacea is often accompanied by pustules or small pimples with yellow or white centers, or papules, which are small, solid pimples or swellings without any pus.

Fast facts on nose acne:

• Nose acne can be caused by either acne vulgaris or acne rosacea.
• A good skincare routine can be key to helping prevent both types.
• The exact cause depends on which type of acne is on the nose.

Difference between acne and rosacea

Due to similar symptoms, it is often difficult to tell the difference between the two types of nose acne.

Acne vulgaris is closer to stereotypical acne. It is related to the following:

• blackheads
• whiteheads
• pimples
• cysts

It is also likely that a person with acne vulgaris on the nose will notice it on other parts of the face and body.

Acne rosacea, on the other hand, is a subtype of rosacea and not related to acne types. It is also possible to have both acne vulgaris and acne rosacea.

One of the best ways to tell the two conditions apart is the presence of clogged pores. A person can check their nose for:

• whiteheads
• blackheads
• pus-filled bumps
• cysts
• pustules

Acne rosacea is characterized by red, swollen, or inflamed skin. It will often start on the nose. And it can spread to nearby areas, such as the cheeks. It will not spread over the entire face or body. Often, the nose may appear enlarged.

What are the causes of acne vulgaris?

Acne vulgaris is when the pores in the skin become clogged and trap bacteria.

The sebaceous glands support healthy skin by producing an oil-like substance called sebum. At times, these glands may produce too much sebum. Too much sebum can trap debris, such as dead skin or bacteria, in the pores.

The nose is particularly vulnerable because the pores in this location tend to be larger than elsewhere. The larger size makes it easier for debris to become trapped, leading to acne breakouts.

Some underlying conditions may also cause acne to form on different parts of the nose. Some examples include:

• Digestive troubles: Often associated with the formation of acne on the tip of the nose.
• Hormone fluctuations: These can lead to acne forming on the side of the nose.
• Hair removal or blowing the nose: Under these circumstances, acne often occurs inside the nose.

Certain conditions make acne vulgaris outbreaks more likely. These include:

• hormone fluctuations
• Increased stress
• a family history

Treatment and prevention of acne vulgaris

Acne vulgaris may cause an inflammatory or noninflammatory response. These two responses require different treatments.

For inflammatory responses, nodes or cysts tend to form. This causes swelling around the nose and any other area that is affected. Often, over-the-counter and at-home solutions are sufficient to treat this type of acne vulgaris.

These treatments may include:

• using a warm, wet washcloth to draw out oils
• applying ice to reduce swelling
• over-the-counter creams that contain benzoyl peroxide
• pimple patches and swabs
• medicated facial cleansers

For more severe cases of inflammatory acne vulgaris, a person may need to see a dermatologist. A dermatologist can prescribe stronger medications to help clear up severe cases.

For non-inflammatory responses of acne vulgaris, it is often easy to treat with over-the-counter products and at-home remedies. Typically, the medication involved is salicylic acid. Salicylic acid can help remove dead skin and remove excess oil.

Some products include:

• creams
• ointments
• toners
• scrubs
• cleansers

These products help clear oils from the skin. In the process, they help clear the clogged pores and kill any trapped bacteria.

In general, a person should:

• wash their face with gentle cleansers twice a day
• use salicylic acid toners and creams to help clear pores
• protect the skin from sun exposure
• keep the skin moisturized
• use a clay mask or other mask specific to acne prevention

• What are the causes of acne rosacea?

  Acne rosacea is not true acne, despite its name. Instead, it is a type of rosacea.
  Rosacea is a skin condition that can cause redness and swelling in addition to acne-like breakouts. Acne rosacea is caused by inflamed blood vessels that become visible on the surface of the skin. The resulting redness may also form acne-like bumps on the skin.
  Though acne rosacea causes acne-like bumps, it is not actually acne but is still often mistaken for what people usually know as acne.
  Scientists are still uncertain what causes acne rosacea. However, the following are suspected of being risk factors or causes of rosacea:
  • a family history of rosacea
  • fair skin
  • an immune response to the bacterium Bacillus oleronius
  • personal history of Helicobacter pylori, a gut bacteria that can cause ulcers
  • a malfunction of a protein that normally protects the skin
  • reaction to the mites that live on everyone's skin

  Treatment and prevention of acne rosacea

• Unlike acne vulgaris, there are no over-the-counter or home remedies that have been proven as effective in treating or preventing acne rosacea.

  As a result, a doctor will need to help a person treat their acne rosacea. This is typically done with medications, such as:

  • Brimonidine to reduce redness and swelling
  • antibiotics to help treat inflammatory acne
  • metronidazole acid
  • azelaic acid
  • isotretinoin

  Also, a doctor may suggest alternative therapies. These may include:

  • dermabrasion
  • massage
  • meditation
  • laser therapy
  • microdermabrasion

  In cases where a person has both acne vulgaris and acne rosacea, they should speak to their dermatologist about what is the best treatment plan. Typically, if both conditions occur together, a person should not use treatments for acne vulgaris unless directed to do so.

• Takeaway

  Nose acne can be a nuisance when it develops on a person's face. Depending on the type, it can be easy to treat with both at-home, over-the-counter, and prescription medications. Following good facial hygiene can help prevent future outbreaks.

New blood test predicts autism with 92 percent accuracy By Ana Sandoiu

Researchers led by those from Warwick University in the United Kingdom have developed a diagnosis test for autism that may predict it with an unprecedented level of accuracy.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that impacts cognition, behavior, and social interaction.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 1 in 68children have ASD.

Given its developmental nature, ASD may have an early onset, but it typically takes a while for the first symptoms to appear. As such, early diagnosis is not usually possible.

Therefore, a chemistry-based diagnosis test for the early detection of ASD may be crucial, enabling children to receive the care that they need much earlier on. Until now, no such test was available.

But an international team of researchers — led by Dr. Naila Rabbani, a reader of experimental systems biology at the University of Warwick — believes that it has designed tests that can accurately detect ASD-related protein changes in the blood and urine.

The findings were published in the journal Molecular Autism.

Tests yield 92 percent accuracy

Dr. Rabbani and her team collected and analyzed blood and urine samples from 38 children aged between 5 and 12 who had been diagnosed with ASD, as well as from 31 children who had not.

The researchers found chemical differences between children with ASD and neurotypical children — that is, children without ASD.

Specifically, the scientists found an association between ASD and damage to some proteins found in the blood's plasma, or the fluid that carries white and red blood cells.

Of the several blood and urine tests that the scientists developed, the most accurate one found that children with ASD had higher levels of a compound called dityrosine and another class of compounds called advanced glycation end-products (AGEs).

Dityrosine is a marker of oxidation damage, and AGEs are the result of glycation, which is a process wherein sugars combine with amino acids, the "building blocks of proteins."

Dr. Rabbani and colleagues then fed this information into a computer algorithm, which resulted in a diagnostic test with 92 percent sensitivity. Sensitivity refers to the ability of a medical test to accurately identify people who have a disease.

Will the test lead to earlier ASD diagnosis?

Dr. Rabbani comments on the significance of the findings, saying, "Our discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and intervention. We hope the tests will also reveal new causative factors."

"With further testing we may reveal specific plasma and urinary profiles or 'fingerprints' of compounds with damaging modifications."

Dr. Naila Rabbani

"This may help us improve the diagnosis of ASD," she adds, "and point the way to new causes of ASD."

But Dr. Max Davie — an assistant officer for health promotion at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in the U.K. — has expressed skepticism about such a test, saying, "This is a promising area, however this is a very long way indeed from a 'test for autism.'"

He adds, "The analysis was derived from children whose ages averaged 7–8, so there is no data to indicate that very young children will have the same metabolic pattern and that the results found would be reproducible in infants."

"While we applaud the arrival of this interesting area of research," says Dr. Davie, "it is important that it is not adopted with too much enthusiasm." He cautions that applying the test to a large population may produce a large number of false positives, causing unnecessary worry.