Folate receptor alpha autoantibodies in children with autism spectrum disorder
2
Issued Date
2022-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
1354750X
eISSN
13665804
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85141935799
Pubmed ID
36112150
Journal Title
Biomarkers
Volume
27
Issue
8
Start Page
715
End Page
719
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Biomarkers Vol.27 No.8 (2022) , 715-719
Suggested Citation
Phunsawat P., Chiangjong W., Chutipongtanate S., Dumrongwongsiri O., Thommachot P., Butdawong W., Chuthapisith J. Folate receptor alpha autoantibodies in children with autism spectrum disorder. Biomarkers Vol.27 No.8 (2022) , 715-719. 719. doi:10.1080/1354750X.2022.2125579 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/83875
Title
Folate receptor alpha autoantibodies in children with autism spectrum disorder
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Background: Recent research indicates that a number of children with autism generate folate receptor alpha autoantibodies (FRAA), which block transportation of folate across the blood–brain barrier, resulting in cerebral folate deficiency syndrome. Plasma FRAA detection permits precision diagnosis and potentially beneficial folinic acid treatment in FRAA-positive children with autism. Objectives: To investigate FRAA prevalence in Thai children with autism and evaluate the associations between FRAA-positive status, clinical symptom severity, and adaptive functioning. Methods: FRAA level was determined in serum samples from 89 children with autism between 2 and 15 years (69 males, 20 females, mean age 7.9 years, SD 3.8). The Childhood Autism Rating Scale-Second Edition (CARS-2) and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) were used to evaluate clinical symptom severity and adaptive functioning, respectively. Results: Of 89 children, 30 (33.7%) were FRAA-positive. FRAA-positive children with autism had significantly poorer mean VABS Adaptive Behavior Composite scores (p = 0.02) and Communication scores (p = 0.02) than FRAA-negative children with autism. There was no association between FRAA level and clinical symptom severity (CARS-2 score) (p = 0.09). Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the presence of FRAA in children with autism and that FRAA status is associated with poorer adaptive functioning.