Assessment of neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) in autistic serum and postmortem brain.
Blood NCAM is not a biomarker for autism; brain tissue shows lower NCAM-180 protein but normal RNA.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Scientists checked NCAM levels in 15 autistic and 15 non-autistic people. They looked at blood samples and brain tissue from people who had died.
They used lab tests to measure three forms of the NCAM protein and the RNA that makes it.
What they found
Blood NCAM was the same in both groups. One form of NCAM protein (NCAM-180) was lower in autistic brains, but the RNA stayed the same.
This means the protein breaks down faster, not that the body makes less of it.
How this fits with other research
Boswell et al. (2023) pooled 25 studies and also found no blood biomarker for autism. Both papers tell the same story: simple blood tests won't diagnose ASD.
Cioana et al. (2020) looked at IGF-1 in brain tissue like this study did with NCAM. Both found normal protein levels, showing many brain chemicals are not altered in autism.
Nijs et al. (2016) used brain scans to check glutathione and also saw no group difference. Together, these studies show most single brain chemicals fail as biomarkers.
Why it matters
Stop chasing NCAM blood tests for diagnosis. The low NCAM-180 protein in brain tissue is interesting for researchers, but it won't help you in clinic today. Focus your assessment time on behavior and validated tools, not on exotic lab work.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Skip any NCAM blood test offers and keep using ADOS and parent interviews.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
Studies have identified structural abnormalities in areas of the autistic brain, with a pattern suggesting that a neurodevelopmental anomaly took place. Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), which is involved in development of the central nervous system, was previously shown to be decreased in the serum of autistic individuals. In the present study, we measured NCAM protein in the sera from controls, patients with autism, siblings of autistic patients, and individuals with other neurologic disorders, but found no significant differences. We also measured NCAM protein in autistic postmortem brain samples and found the longest isoform, NCAM-180, to be significantly decreased. In addition, we investigated the mRNA expression of NCAM in these brain samples using cDNA microarrays and RT-PCR. Results show that NCAM mRNA levels are not altered in autism.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2001 · doi:10.1023/a:1010751232295