AUTHORS: Babinsk\u00e1, K., Repisk\u00e1, G., Gvozdj\u00e1kov\u00e1, A., Kucharsk\u00e1, J., Vok\u00e1lov\u00e1, L., Vido\u0161ovi\u010dov\u00e1, M., Ostatn\u00edkov\u00e1,D.<\/p>\n
ABSTRACT: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by <\/span>impairments in social interaction and communication, combined with restricted and <\/span>stereotyped patterns of behaviour and interests. There is an array of comorbid conditions <\/span>associated with ASD. It has been suggested that ASD may be a systemic disorder, rather <\/span>than only a dysfunction of the central nervous system. <\/span>Mitochondria are organelles found in almost all cells of the human body; essential for basic <\/span>cellular functions. Multiple studies have shown mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) in the <\/span>brain, also in the peripheral tissues of individuals with ASD. It has been estimated that the <\/span>prevalence of classic mitochondrial disease in ASD population is 5%; however, about 50% <\/span>of children with ASD may present some abnormalities in markers of mitochondrial func<\/span>tions. Interactions between mitochondrial dysfunction and other underlying pathology of <\/span>ASD were found, such as oxidative stress or immune dysregulation. <\/span>Existing data indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in pathology of ASD, <\/span>at least in a subgroup of the patients. The evidence, however, is still only patchy. Advances <\/span>in understanding of the involvement of mitochondrial dysfunction in ASD could be a <\/span>step towards better understanding of the pathophysiology of ASD, and unravelling the <\/span>role of mitochondria in ASD could open new prospectives for diagnostics and therapeutic <\/span>interventions. There is a need to find a valid biomarker of mitochondrial dysfunction in <\/span>ASD and to develop standardized procedures to identify the individuals with ASD and <\/span>MD, who might mostly profit from an intervention.<\/span><\/p>\n Activitas Nervosa Superior Rediviva. – Vol. 59, No. 2 (2017), s. 39-44. – ISSN (print) 1337-933X<\/p>\n