Mitochondrial dysfunction in autistic patients with 15q inverted duplication

Ann Neurol. 2003 Jun;53(6):801-4. doi: 10.1002/ana.10596.

Abstract

Two autistic children with a chromosome 15q11-q13 inverted duplication are presented. Both had uneventful perinatal courses, normal electroencephalogram and magnetic resonance imaging scans, moderate motor delay, lethargy, severe hypotonia, and modest lactic acidosis. Both had muscle mitochondrial enzyme assays that showed a pronounced mitochondrial hyperproliferation and a partial respiratory chain block most parsimoniously placed at the level of complex III, suggesting candidate gene loci for autism within the critical region may affect pathways influencing mitochondrial function.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Autistic Disorder / genetics*
  • Autistic Disorder / physiopathology*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15 / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Duplication*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mitochondria, Muscle / enzymology
  • Mitochondria, Muscle / genetics
  • Mitochondria, Muscle / physiology*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / enzymology
  • NADH Dehydrogenase / metabolism
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics*
  • Skin / metabolism

Substances

  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • NADH Dehydrogenase