Affiliations: Department of Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital
Research Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock,
AR, USA | Rossignol Medical Center, Irvine, CA, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Richard E. Frye, MD, %PhD, Department of
Pediatrics, Arkansas Children's Hospital Research Institute, Little Rock, AR
72202, USA. Tel.: +1 501 364 4662; Fax: +1 501 978 6483; E-mail: REFrye@uams.edu
Abstract: Mitochondrial disease (MD) and dysfunction are associated with
autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and most likely affect a substantial number of
children with ASD. The mitochondrion is the powerhouse of the body's cells
which supports and is supported by many metabolic systems, so mitochondrial
dysfunction can have widespread consequences on cellular metabolism, especially
in high energy cells like the brain, gastrointestinal tract and immune system,
and especially during critical periods of high energy demand like childhood.
This article reviews the treatments for MD as applied to children with ASD. We
discuss supportive measures which aim at preventing further damage from
occurring due to malfunctioning mitochondria, treatment with high dose vitamins
that can support metabolism in light of dysfunctional mitochondria, dietary
changes that can be useful in mitochondrial disease, and secondary organ
systems to investigate due to mitochondrial dysfunction. We also discuss
several treatments that have been reported to be of benefit in children with
ASD which are also treatments that are standard of care for MD. This review
provides a guide for appropriate treatments for children with ASD/MD and
children with ASD that have mitochondrial dysfunction.
