Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: A Systematic Review on Pathways and Mechanisms

Abstract

Background: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are types of disorders that are marked by a wide range of genetic and clinical mutability which will affect the development and function of the brain. Mitochondria are increasingly associated with various neurodevelopmental disorders and it is found because of mutation of mitochondrial genes, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction. Objective: Understanding the pathways and mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction related to neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease (PMD), mental retardation, Autism spectrum disorder, Rett's syndrome, and Fragile X syndrome is important. In this review, we discussed the possible factors associated with mitochondria that influence the clinical presentation of NDDs, better understanding of the mechanisms behind these pathways will hopefully be helpful for the diagnosis and treatment approaches. Conclusion: Mitochondria are simply another subcellular victim of various neurodegenerative pathways, or are they a common denominator on the path to neurodegeneration? A better understanding of functional and molecular mechanistic pathways can lead to the identification of potential targets, thereby opening perspectives for future treatment.