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Targeting the mitochondrial electron transport chain in autism, a systematic review and synthesis of a novel therapeutic approach

journal contribution
posted on 2013-09-01, 00:00 authored by A Ghanizadeh, Michael BerkMichael Berk, H Farrashbandi, A Alavi shoushtari, K A Villagonzalo
Autism is a complex developmental disorder with an unknown etiology and without any curative treatment. The mitochondrial electron transfer chains play a major role in the production of ATP, and the generation and management of reactive oxidative stress (ROS). This paper is a systematic review of the role of the mitochondrial electron transport chain in autism, and a consequent hypothesis for treating autism is synthesized.

An electronic search with pre-specified inclusion criteria was conducted in order to retrieve all the published articles about the mitochondrial electron transport chain in autism. The two databases of PUBMED and Google Scholar were searched.

From one hundred twenty five retrieved titles, 12 (three case control study and 9 case reports) articles met inclusion criteria. All of the included studies indicated dysfunction of electron transport chain in autism.

The mitochondrial electron transfer chain seems impaired in some children with autism and ROS production is additionally enhanced. It is hypothesized that interventions involving alternative electron shuttling may improve autism through lowering the production of ROS. In addition, it is expected that this alternative electron shuttling to cytochrome c might enhance the production of ATP which is impaired in the disorder.

History

Journal

Mitochondrion

Volume

13

Issue

5

Pagination

515 - 519

Publisher

Elsevier BV

Location

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

ISSN

1567-7249

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Copyright notice

2013, Elsevier