February 19, 2024
- Moleculera Labs, a pioneer in immune-mediated neuropsychiatric testing, has announced a strategic collaboration with Quest Diagnostics, the leading provider of diagnostic information services in the U.S. The partnership allows patients to provide blood specimens at any of Quest’s patient service centers for Moleculera’s neuropsychiatric autoantibody test services. Moleculera’s neuropsychiatric autoantibody panel, known as the Cunningham Panel, identifies autoantibodies in blood serum directed against the brain and central nervous system, aiding in diagnosing autoimmune encephalopathy or basal ganglia encephalitis. This collaboration addresses the unmet need for testing in immune-mediated neuropsychiatric disorders, potentially improving patient care and outcomes by broadening access to diagnostic insights and appropriate treatment.
- A new study has investigated the combined impact of maternal allergic asthma and exacerbating environmental exposures during pregnancy on neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring. The authors suggest that individuals exposed to multiple asthma-associated environmental triggers with their combined effects could contribute to later life and transgenerational impacts on mental health. The team advocates for researchers to investigate the effects of various inflammatory factors on offspring, like exposure to particulate matter and asthma combined. They aim to understand how these simultaneous triggers could be linked to the increasing prevalence of neurodevelopmental disorders like ASD and ADHD.
- Cognoa, the creator of the first FDA-approved autism diagnostic tool called Canvas Dx, has partnered with Highmark, marking the company as the inaugural health insurance plan to reimburse for this innovative technology. Canvas Dx aims to provide earlier and more accessible autism diagnoses for children and families, leveraging AI to facilitate unbiased and accurate assessments by doctors. Highmark’s comprehensive coverage of Canvas Dx sets a precedent for medical policy, covering the full price of the tool and associated administration time. According to Cognoa, Canvas Dx’s inclusion in Highmark’s medical policy signals a significant milestone in autism diagnosis and care, with the potential to reduce diagnosis wait times and lower the average age of diagnosis.
- A recent editorial written by a medical school student who has a sister with profound autism highlights the lack of preparedness among medical professionals to care for individuals with ASD effectively. MedPage Today published the opinion piece, which recommends incorporating comprehensive autism education into medical school curricula, focusing on understanding ASD symptomatology, sensory sensitivities, behavioral strategies, and co-occurring conditions. The author, who expresses frustration over the poor care her sister has received over her lifetime, advocates for simulated interviews with patients with autism, tailored behavioral plans, and holistic care approaches across medical specialties. She believes that with these changes, patients with autism have a better chance to be treated with a higher quality of care.
