MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION & ASD

What is it?

Mitochondria are distinct cellular organelles that generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy carrier in most mammalian cells, from adenosine diphosphate by oxidizing glucose and fatty acids. The prevalence of abnormal biomarker values of mitochondrial dysfunction was found to be high in ASD, possibly as high as 80% in the ASD population. Variances and mean values of many mitochondrial biomarkers (lactate, pyruvate, carnitine, and ubiquinone) were significantly different between ASD and controls in one meta-analysis. Some markers correlated with ASD severity.

What Causes it?

Primary- Defect in genetics directly related to the function of mitochondria, producing ATP.

Toxins in the environment impair mitochondrial processes such as methylation, the Krebs cycle, the electron transport chain, and fatty acid oxidation.