Identification and validation of biomarkers for autism spectrum disorders

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders, but effective medical treatments for the core symptoms of the disorder are still lacking. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5), the core symptoms of ASD comprise deficits in social communication and interaction, and repetitive and restricted behaviours, which include sensory abnormalities. Novel genetic and preclinical approaches now provide unprecedented opportunities to identify the underpinning pathophysiological mechanisms and aetiology-based treatment targets, as discussed in a Review article by Ghosh et al. (Drug discovery for autism spectrum disorder: challenges and opportunities. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 12, 777–790 (2013)1. This has led to more interest from the pharmaceutical industry in an area in which the overall risk of failure is seen as very high because key parameters of drug efficiency are not yet established and the regulatory environment is uncertain. For example, industry has recently invested in several pre-competitive projects, such as the European Union (EU) Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)-brokered public–private partnership EU-AIMS (European Autism Interventions — A Multicentre Study for Developing New Medications)2.