Cerebral Lactate Levels Higher in Adults with Autism than Neurotypical Controls
New German research has investigated cerebral lactate (Lac+) levels in high-functioning adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), targeting the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) as a potential biomarker for mitochondrial dysfunction.
Neurodevelopmental Regression and Early Life Metal Exposure
Children who lose previously acquired developmental skills or milestones can be classified as experiencing a neurodevelopmental regression (NDR). About one-third of children who hold an autism diagnosis fit the NDR subtype model. A team of scientists from the University of Arizona recently studied the origins of NDR.
Association Between Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Autism
Neurological research from the past decade has produced several studies investigating a possible relationship between autism and malfunctioning mitochondria. A 2010 UC Davis MIND Institute study, a 2016 British study, as well as other research, have consistently found mitochondrial disorders commonly linked to autism. At the conclusion of such studies, a call for more research is typically made by the authors.
