Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autistic Children and Oral Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation Treatment

Abstract

This review was conducted in order to determine the effect of Oral Coenzyme Q10 supplement on children diagnosed with Autism spectrum of disorders. Among the most common treatments used for autistic spectrum disorders, vitamin/mineral supplements are considered to be the most common treatments. An oral vitamin/mineral supplementation has benefits in improving the nutritional and metabolic status of children with ASD; these include the improvement of oxidative stress, inflammation, but research on using these supplements for treating Coenzyme Q10 supplement on autistic children has been limited. Mitochondrial dysfunctions occur in a subset of ASD. Different cases usually occur due to genetic anomalies or mitochondrial respiratory pathway abnormalities. In addition, they have also been associated with different behaviours in children. There have been many studies that reveal evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction (MtD) in children with ASD. Various drugs of either synthetic or natural origin applied in the treatment of brain disorders need to cross the BBB before they can be used in Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, autism, and many other chronic illnesses. This review suggests that a Coenzyme Q10 supplement is a reasonable MtD therapy to consider for most children diagnosed with Autism.