Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Finding effective treatments and interventions for ASD still requires a great deal of research. At Ace Therapeutics, we are committed to providing innovative preclinical solutions for autism spectrum disorder research. Our advanced technology and expertise in the field of psychiatric disorders allows us to provide our clients with reliable animal models and the potential impact on autism drug discovery and development.

Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) include autism, Asperger's syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, and unspecified forms of pervasive developmental disorder. the number of children diagnosed with ASD is continuing to climb. ASD cannot be prevented, but treatment options are available. Early diagnosis and intervention are most effective and can improve behavior, skills, and language development. Treatment options may include behavioral therapy, communication therapy, educational therapy, family therapy, and medication. There are no medications available to improve the core signs that impede ASD, but specific medications may help control symptoms.

Fig. 1 Potential influences of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). (Zhuang, H.; et al., 2024)

Key Targets for Anti-autism Spectrum Disorder Drug Development

• 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists, such as risperidone and chlorpromazine, can increase the amount of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the brain, thereby improving behavior and social interaction in patients with autism spectrum disorders.
• Neuropeptide Y receptor antagonists, such as rapid gahonia and Turkmen, can reduce the amount of neuropeptide Y in the brain and improve the social and emotional cognitive abilities of patients.
• Drugs targeting glutamate metabolisms, such as naloxone and glycine, can affect glutamate metabolism and thus improve behavioral and social abilities in patients with autism spectrum disorders.
• Drugs that target catecholamine metabolism, such as methamphetamine, can increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels, improving patients' behavioral control and social interaction, and to some extent alleviating the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.

How Can We Help?

Pathophysiologic Mechanism Research Services of Autism Spectrum Disorders

ASD arises from a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors, leading to changes in brain structure and function that manifest as behavioral abnormalities. Ace Therapeutics utilizes animal models, genetic approaches, and histological studies to help clients delve into the underlying mechanisms that lead to genetic associations in ASD. Furthermore, we integrate animal models with our platform technologies to assist our clients in identifying crucial physiological and metabolic irregularities associated with ASD, as well as mechanisms pertaining to gut flora. Our expertise and integrated services will provide you with valuable insights into the mechanisms of ASD pathology, enabling the development of innovative therapies and diagnostics for ASD.

Fig. 2 The graphical abstract of potential pathology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) investigated by multi‐omics methods. (Zhuang, H.; et al., 2024)

Preclinical Screening and Evaluation Services for Anti-Autism Spectrum Disorder Drugs

Ace Therapeutics can provide biopharmaceutical companies and other drug discovery organizations with services to develop drugs for autism spectrum disorders. This service covers the entire process of drug research and drug development. The development of anti-autism spectrum disorder drugs requires the design, synthesis, screening, optimization, and standardization of molecular combinations to find the most effective and safest drugs. This requires a high level of skill, expense, and resources. Our drug development services can help you reduce costs and risks.

• Evaluation of experimental protocols: Based on client needs, we provide services to evaluate drug development protocols, including advice on model selection, experimental design, technical flow, and data analysis, to help clients develop a rational and accurate R&D route.
• Toxicological evaluation: We provide highly professional teams to conduct toxicological evaluations for our clients. This service includes pharmacodynamic assessment, safety assessment, pharmacokinetic assessment, etc.
• Drug screening: We provide a range of advanced drug screening technologies to help our clients identify and optimize the most optimal drug molecules.
• Data analysis: We provide efficient data analysis services to comprehensively and accurately analyze and interpret the data generated during the experimental process, providing our clients with more detailed experimental results and conclusions.

Diagnostic Method Development Services for Autism Spectrum Disorders

Timely identification and diagnosis play a critical role in promoting early intervention and prognostic outcomes in ASD. Measurable laboratory biomarkers can provide earlier and more reliable diagnosis and can further differentiate the autism spectrum based on common pathophysiological features, allowing for individualized treatment and response monitoring, and increasing the chances of success of future drug development programs.

Ace Therapeutics assists clients in identifying and characterizing quantifiable laboratory markers for precise ASD diagnosis through untargeted histology and targeted ASD diagnostic marker studies. We provide strategies for the development of bio-diagnostic markers for ASD, with a focus on the following areas:

• The identification of potential biomarkers by non‐targeted omics

Genetic testing, proteomics, and metabolomics were employed to screen blood, urine, and saliva samples for genes, proteins, peptides, and metabolites that have the potential to be diagnostic markers for ASD.

• Targeted research and application of diagnostic markers

The targeted validation and detection of diagnostic markers, especially using some high‐throughput methods (e.g., targeted proteomics, metabolomics).

• Targeted proteomics research: We utilize targeted proteomics multi-reaction monitoring technology to identify ASD plasma complement and coagulation cascade proteins, then combine it with machine learning methods to help our clients obtain differential protein combinations with diagnostic potential.
• Targeted metabolomics studies: We used metabolomics to identify biochemical imbalances occurring in autism models, mainly involving amino acids, reactive oxidative stress, neurotransmitters, and the microbial-gut-brain axis.

The following table summarizes targeted metabolomics-based research on potential biomarkers for autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

• Study of biomarkers associated with important physiological and metabolic abnormalities in ASD

Our research focuses on immune/inflammation-related biomarkers, oxidative stress-related biomarkers, and mitochondria-related diagnostic markers.

• Biomarkers associated with gut microbiota

Our approach involves the discovery and identification of ASD-associated biomarkers through comprehensive gut microbial analysis and monitoring of microbial metabolites in feces. Additionally, we monitor gut microbial metabolism in blood and urine, offering an alternative approach to the early diagnosis of ASD.

Related Services

• Autism Animal Models
• Psychiatric Biomarker Testing Services
• Antipsychotics Screening Services
• Antipsychotic Discovery and Preresearch Services
• Pharmacokinetics Analysis Services for Antipsychotics

Ace Therapeutics can provide a full range of support to pharmaceutical companies and research institutions to help them approve anti-autism spectrum disorder drugs as soon as possible. If you are interested in our services, please contact us to learn how we can support you in your project.

Reference

1. Zhuang, H.; et al. Autism spectrum disorder: Pathogenesis, biomarker, and intervention therapy. MedComm. 5.3 (2024): e497.