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.

What are Associated Conditions?

Seizures

Fatigue

Migraine HAs

Anxiety/Depression

Insomnia

Developmental Regression

Speech/Gross Motor/Fine Motor difficulties

Common Biomarkers Associated with Mitochondrial Dysfunction (No one biomarker exists to confirm diagnosis):

Methylation Redox- Glutathione and cysteine

Carnitine- total and/or free low, high esthers

Coq10

Acyl-Carnitines- short and long chain elevations

Amino Acids- alanine & alanine/lysine

Ammonia

Electron Transport Chain- via mitoswab

Lactate & Lactate/Pyruvate

Pyruvate

Creatine Kinase

Oxidative Stress- such as low glutathione found on OAT

Folate Receptor Antibodies

Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA - gene mutations

Mast Cells

Inflammation- IL10, TNFalpha

GI Dysfunction- i.e., elevated Zonulin, Clostridia, and fungal markers on OAT test, stool test

What Treatments are Available?

Carnitine

Co Q 10 (ubiquinol)

B vitamins (including b1, b2, b6, b9 and b12)

PQQ

Antioxidants such as NAC

Creatine

Minerals such as magnesium and potassium

HBOT

Anti-inflammatories like quercetin and curcumin

Red Light therapy

Exercise

Balancing microbiome

REMOVING the toxic exposures