Dysfunctional Mitochondria Give Autistic Kids Trouble Fueling Energy Demands From Cells

A new study has discovered that children suffering from autism face more trouble fueling the energy demands of their cells due to dysfunctional mitochondria.

The new findings from UC Davis reveal several different types of mitochondrial dysfunction and suggest a novel way of screening for these deficits using blood samples.

Mitochondria, the 'powerhouses' of cells, provide energy for cell functions through a cascade of enzyme complexes.

Together, those enzyme complexes create energy through a process called oxidative phosphorylation.

Previous studies have shown that mitochondrial dysfunction can lead to a host of disorders particularly affecting brain cells, which are characterized by high energy demands.

For the study, blood samples were taken from ten children with autism and ten unrelated typically developing children, all aged 2-5 years.

The researchers analyzed mitochondria in children's white blood cells. Mitochondria in the samples from children with autism were less efficient at creating energy through oxidative phosphorylation.

In some, there was a genetic mutation that affected mitochondrial function. In others, the researchers observed that one or more enzyme complexes were dysfunctional. In most of the children with autism, there were many extra copies of mitochondria, which may partially compensate for each one not working optimally.

"It is remarkable that evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction and changes in mitochondrial DNA were detected in the blood of these young children with autism. One of the challenges has been that it has been difficult to diagnose mitochondrial dysfunction because it usually requires a muscle biopsy. If we could screen for these metabolic problems with a blood test it would be a big step forward," said Geraldine Dawson, Autism Speaks chief science officer.

Study's co-author of UC Davis MIND Institute, Issac Pessah, said, "The real challenge now is to try and understand the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in children with autism. For instance, many environmental stressors can cause mitochondrial damage. Depending on when a child was exposed, maternally or neonatally, and how severe that exposure was, it might explain the range of the symptoms of autism."

The study is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Source: ANI