We found higher levels of serum glutamate in subjects with ASD and this might reflect altered glutamatergic neurotransmission which may aid early ASD detection. Further investigations are needed with a large number of participants to further clarify the possibility of using glutamate as a biomarker for ASD.

The objective of this study was to assess the levels of 10 toxic metals and essential minerals in hair samples of children with autism. Another purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the level of these elements could be correlated with the severity of autism. Method: The participants were 44 Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) children according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 4th Edition, (DSM-IV). The age of 3 and 9 years. The severity of autistic symptomatology was measured by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). Hair analysis was done to evaluate the long term metal exposure and minerals level. Sample preparation and testing were performed in Germany. Results: There was increase in some metal level such as: lead, aluminium, vandium and mercury. Also, the level of zinc, and iodine was deficient. There was a significant positive correlation between Arsenic & Fear and Nervousness (P = 0.020). Also, There was a significant negative correlation between Zinc & Fear and Nervousness (P = 0.022). Conclusion: Several elements such as: lead, aluminium, vandium and mercury showed significant relationship, not only the etiology of autistic disorder but also, to the severity of the symptoms. Iodine and zinc seemed seem to have high nutritional value among autistic children.

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Objective:Hair drug testing measures the drug molecules embedded inside the hair shaft, eliminating external contamination as a source of a positive result.Method:Four drug groups with 20 schizophrenic patients for each drug (Haloperidol, Trifluoperazine, Clozapine and Risperidon). The 1st visit included clinical assessment (semi-structured interview and diagnosis, and Positive and Negative Schizophrenia Symptom Scale PANSS) and urine & hair samples were taken after the first week of drug administration. The 2nd visit was done and samples were taken after 4th week of drug administration. The 3rd visit was done and samples were taken after 8th week of drug administration.Results:The four antipsychotics in this study can be detected earlier in urine than hair (starting from 1st week in the former and 4th week in the later) HPLC test. There were significant differences in the mean scores of PANNS for the four drugs in 1st, 4th, and 8th weeks.Conclusion:The advantages of hair analysis over urine analysis include the non-invasiveness, low cost, easier to collect, store, transport, the ability to measure a large number of potentially interacting toxic and biologically essential elements.