Scientists have devised a brain scan to detect autism in adults, doctors reveal today. The 15-minute scan means medics may no longer have to diagnose the condition by relying on personality tests that are complicated, expensive and often unreliable. Doctors now hope that the breakthrough will result in them detecting autism in children much more quickly, so that the treatment can be started immediately.

The computer assessment of the brain provides medics with 3D images that pinpoint the areas which indicate autism spectrum disorder. Scientists at the Institute of Psychiatry at King's College, London, developed the scan, which has been 90% accurate when testing adults.

Researcher Dr Christine Ecker said: "The value of this rapid and accurate tool to diagnose ASD is immense. We now look forward to testing if our methods can also help children."

Professor Declan Murphy, who led the research, said: "Most importantly, the diagnosis will be based on an objective 'biomarker' and not simply on the opinion of a clinician which is formed after an interview."

Experts welcomed the results but said that the process needed to be studied more extensively before it could become a mainstream tool used in hospitals.

Source: Daily Mirror

Picture Credit: Daily Mirror