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Can stratification biomarkers address the heterogeneity of autism spectrum disorder?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 November 2021

C. J. Molloy Open the ORCID record for C. J. Molloy [Opens in a new window]  and
L. Gallagher
C. J. Molloy*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
L. Gallagher
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
*
Address for correspondence: C. Molloy, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. (Email: molloycj@tcd.ie)
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Abstract

The search for biomarkers for autism spectrum disorder (henceforth autism) has received a lot of attention due to their potential clinical relevance. The clinical and aetiological heterogeneity of autism suggests the presence of subgroups. The lack of identification of a valid diagnostic biomarker for autism, and the inconsistencies seen in studies assessing differences between autism and typically developing control groups, may be partially explained by the vast heterogeneity observed in autism. The focus now is to better understand the clinical and biological heterogeneity and identify stratification biomarkers, which are measures that describe subgroups of individuals with shared biology. Using stratification approaches to assess treatment within pre-defined subgroups could clarify who may benefit from different treatments and therapies, and ultimately lead to more effective individualised treatment plans.

Keywords

Autism spectrum disorderautismbiomarkersstratification
Type
Perspective Piece
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 39 , Issue 3: Themed Issue: Autism Spectrum Disorders , September 2022 , pp. 305 - 311
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland

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