Introduction
Practicing medicine is tough, and oftentimes cutting-edge scientific technologies are not always well distributed. The field of medicine evolves quickly, with new research, technologies, and guidelines being published frequently. Staying current requires constant study, which can be challenging for busy practitioners.
Physicians often specialize in specific areas, and advancements outside their specialty may not be as closely monitored. Not all physicians have access to cutting-edge journals, conferences, or academic resources, especially those practicing in rural or underserved areas. Subscription costs to top-tier journals or participation in high-level conferences can be prohibitive as well.
New diagnostics, such as FRAT®, often take years to become part of official guidelines due to the time required for validation, cost-effectiveness studies, and consensus-building. Because of this, physicians may wait for professional organizations or health systems to endorse new methods before adopting them.
Some new diagnostic tools may be considered expensive; therefore some practitioners may not recommend them from this perspective, and oftentimes insurance and healthcare systems may not cover or support them until they are widely validated.
With this in mind, if there is one test that your physician should be aware of, or needs to be made aware of, it is the FRAT® test. FRAT® screens for folate receptor autoantibodies, which have been found in several neurodevelopmental/neuropsychiatric disorders, and particularly in a large percentage of children with autism spectrum disorder.
FRAT® (Folate Receptor Antibody Test) measures the presence of autoantibodies against folate receptors (FR), which can block the uptake of folate into cells. These autoantibodies have been implicated in several conditions, including:
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
:
- Research suggests that some individuals with autism may have folate receptor autoantibodies, potentially leading to cerebral folate deficiency.
- Symptoms of cerebral folate deficiency in autism include developmental delays, irritability, and low muscle tone.
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Cerebral Folate Deficiency (CFD)
:
- This condition involves low folate levels in the cerebrospinal fluid despite normal blood folate levels.
- Symptoms may include seizures, developmental regression, and movement disorders.
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Unexplained Neurological Symptoms
:
- Conditions such as unexplained developmental delays, epilepsy, or neurodegenerative disorders may warrant testing.
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Infertility or Pregnancy Complications
:
- Autoantibodies against folate receptors have been linked to infertility and pregnancy-related issues, such as neural tube defects.
What Physicians Should Know About It:
- The FRAT® test is specialized, and many physicians may not routinely consider it in diagnostic evaluations but need to learn about it’s diagnostic value and the important role play folate receptor autoantibodies play in neurodevelopmental/neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Early detection of folate receptor autoantibodies can guide treatment strategies, such as high-dose folinic acid supplementation (which bypasses the blocked receptors).
- Physicians may need to collaborate with specialists (e.g., neurologists or psychiatrists) for comprehensive management.
If you suspect any neurodevelopment delays it may warrant a conversation with your physician. Do not be hesitant in mentioning FRAT® or asking them to gather information about its use and utility. You are your own best advocate!
