Analysis of amino acids in autism spectrum disorders

• Comorbidities in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are associated with amino acids.
• Specialists recommend clinical tests for amino acids in some children with ASD.
• Analytical methods allow sensitive detection of abnormalities related to amino acids.
• Some amino acids are considered potential biomarkers for ASD.

The relationship between comorbidities associated with amino acids (AAs) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the subject of much research. The diagnosis of these co-occurring disorders based on measurements of levels of AAs in clinical samples poses a challenge. The development of a variety of analytical platforms, particularly chromatographic methods, mass spectrometry and magnetic resonance spectroscopy, together with chemometric statistical methods, enables sensitive detection of abnormalities related to AAs. We present the application of analytical methods to the study of AAs in ASD. Moreover, this review highlights the role of some AAs as potential biomarkers for ASD.