Comparison of ABR signatures from neonates who showed typical (blue) or delayed and narrow, atypical (red) later diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Invention Summary:
Neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy and autism are primarily diagnosed through identification of key behaviors and symptoms. To do this, features of the disorders must be first noted by parents or guardians during daily lives and then brought into attention of the pediatrician. However, because of the latency in motor skill development, it is difficult to diagnose these conditions early in childhood. Moreover, these disorders are often exhibited in mild manners, making it difficult to diagnose.
Researchers at Rutgers University have identified auditory brainstem response (ABR) readings as novel biomarkers for diagnosing neurodevelopmental disorders in neonates. The team mapped the stochastic fluctuations of ABR tests in the resting state across different neonates at birth. These were followed longitudinally, and some received autism diagnosis by 4 years old. Unambiguous differences were present at birth in babies whose neurodevelopment deviated from typical signatures. The team further supported their findings by associating this new map with neuromotor assessment and genomic data. Altogether, this technology provides a new approach for evaluating the neurodevelopmental health in neonates and a set of genes that could be used as a diagnostic battery at early stages of the disorder.
Market Applications:
- Genetic and behavioral testing for neurodevelopmental disorders
- Mobile app for mapping neurodevelopment of neonates
Advantages:
- Novel set of genes associated with atypical neurodevelopment
- Use of non-invasive, integrated approaches to map brain development across early ages
Intellectual Property & Development Status: Provisional patent application filed, patent pending. Available for licensing and/or research collaboration. Please contact marketingbd@research.rutgers.edu.
Publications:
- Bermperidis, T., et al. (2022). Front. Neurosci. 16: 884707. doi:10.3389/fnins.2022.884707
- Torres, E. B. (2021). J Pers Med. 11(11):1119. doi:10.3390/jpm11111119.
- Torres, E.B., et al. (2022). BioRxiv. doi:10.1101/2022.01.27.478048.
