Maternal Autoantibody Related Autism Diagnostic

MARAbio has developed a groundbreaking blood test designed to detect Maternal Autoantibody Related Autism (MARA) in children by identifying specific autoantibodies present in mothers. This test can be administered prior to pregnancy or as early as birth, allowing for the prediction of a child's likelihood of developing autism with over 90% predictive accuracy. The technology is based on extensive research led by Dr. Judy Van de Water, which has established a link between certain maternal antibodies and the development of autism in children. The MARAbio test measures up to eight specific autoantibodies associated with MARA, enabling early detection and intervention strategies that can significantly improve outcomes for affected children.

The implications of the MARAbio test extend beyond mere detection; it also provides insights into the potential severity of autism in children based on the patterns of autoantibodies found in their mothers. Research indicates that approximately 20% of autism diagnoses may be attributed to the MARA subtype, and certain antibody patterns may correlate with increased odds of autism with intellectual disability. By facilitating early diagnosis and tailored therapeutic interventions, MARAbio aims to empower care providers and families to initiate support strategies sooner, ultimately striving to mitigate the severe effects of autism.

United States

We identify the risk of developing Maternal Autoantibody Related Autism (MARA), a subtype of autism that is estimated to represent approximately 20% of overall cases, through a new type of risk assessment test for prospective mothers prior to (but not during) pregnancy, and for mothers during the early postnatal period. Our goal is to provide families with options to materially reduce the occurrence or severity of MARA. Our precision technology uses a blood test in women to identify the presence of a distinct cluster of autoantibodies that lead to MARA, thereby enabling the earliest risk assessment for the development of autism in a child.

MARAbio

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