Autism Linked to Mutations in Mitochondrial DNA read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1457-autism-linked-to-mutations-in-mitochondrial-dna

Impaired mitochondrial function impacts many biological processes that depend heavily on energy and metabolism and can lead to a wide range of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by disturbances in social interaction, communication, and behavioral flexibility.

According to Zhenglong Gu of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and colleagues study,  Mitochondrial Dysfunction as a Neurobiological Subtype of Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have greater numbers of harmful mutations in their mitochondrial DNA than family members.

Case-control study at Columbia University Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute involving 75 children and adults with ASD and 96 age- and sex-matched, typically developing controls.

Mitochondrial disease is an established cause of syndromic autism, generally believed until now to represent less than 1% of all cases of ASD.

In vivo brain findings provide evidence for a possible neurobiological subtype of mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD. Mitochondria play a central role in metabolism, these findings may help explain the metabolic disorders commonly associated with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

The scientists noted that the risk associated with these mutations is most pronounced in children with lower IQ and poor social behavior compared to their unaffected siblings.