MARAbio Systems has commercially introduced a new blood test for identifying maternal autoantibody-related autism.

The MAR-Autism Test is designed to detect specific autoantibodies responsible for an autism subtype known as maternal autoantibody-related autism (MARA).

Research published in peer-reviewed journals indicates that MARA autoantibodies are linked to moderate and severe symptoms in those diagnosed with autism.

MARA arises when maternal autoantibodies cross the placenta, interfere with brain development, and lead to neurodevelopmental changes and autistic characteristics.

The MAR-Autism Test is based on more than 20 years of research conducted at the UC Davis MIND Institute in the US, by MARAbio's chief scientific adviser and founder Judy Van de Water.

The detection of these unique pathogenic autoantibodies is described as a significant advancement in the early detection of autism in existing or future children.

Clinical testing of the MAR-Autism has shown a specificity of at least 99% or more for each MARA autoantibody combination, which helps ensure a low rate of false positives.

Additional data indicate that certain autoantibody patterns are linked to a 99% autism diagnosis risk in a mother’s child, with a corresponding specificity of at least 99%.

Healthcare professionals in most regions of the US can now order the test for women who have previously had a child diagnosed with autism.

This allows families to seek answers for younger siblings or before future pregnancies. The test is also available for children who are showing autism signs, supporting earlier referrals for diagnostic assessment and intervention.

MARAbio Systems is currently working to validate the test for wider application in the general population. However, the test is not validated or available for use during pregnancy.

Alongside the test’s commercial launch, the company is assessing multiple therapeutic approaches aimed at preventing foetal exposure to these maternal autoantibodies, to reduce the global incidence of this autism subtype.

MARAbio CEO and president Michael Paul said: "Thanks to the pioneering scientific research of Dr Van de Water and UC Davis, and the work of the MARAbio team, millions of families and their healthcare providers now have access to our blood test, which can identify a scientifically proven biological cause of autism that is significantly more prevalent than any single cause of syndromic autism, including Fragile X.”