Potential Role of L-Carnitine in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

L-carnitine plays an important role in the functioning of the central nervous system, and especially in the mitochondrial metabolism of fatty acids. Altered carnitine metabolism, abnormal fatty acid metabolism in patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been documented. ASD is a complex heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition that is usually diagnosed in early childhood. Patients with ASD require careful classification as this heterogeneous clinical category may include patients with an intellectual disability or high functioning, epilepsy, language impairments, or associated Mendelian genetic conditions. L-carnitine participates in the long-chain oxidation of fatty acids in the brain, stimulates acetylcholine synthesis (donor of the acyl groups), stimulates expression of growth-associated protein-43, prevents cell apoptosis and neuron damage and stimulates neurotransmission. Determination of L-carnitine in serum/plasma and analysis of acylcarnitines in a dried blood spot may be useful in ASD diagnosis and treatment. Changes in the acylcarnitine profiles may indicate potential mitochondrial dysfunctions and abnormal fatty acid metabolism in ASD children. L-carnitine deficiency or deregulation of L-carnitine metabolism in ASD is accompanied by disturbances of other metabolic pathways, e.g., Krebs cycle, the activity of respiratory chain complexes, indicative of mitochondrial dysfunction. Supplementation of L-carnitine may be beneficial to alleviate behavioral and cognitive symptoms in ASD patients.

Ordering Knowledge in the Markers of Psychiatric/Mental Disorders

“…Some other potential markers of this Special Issue include the epidermal growth factor (EGF) at the onset of the exacerbation of depressive or hypomanic/manic episodes [33] and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratio, which has been suggested for differentiating bipolar from unipolar depression [34]. In autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a physiological biomarker collected from a wearable sensor's data was found to be helpful in its differential diagnosis [35], and some augmentations were suggested to help in its treatment [36]. Earlier studies have also suggested that mental symptoms, such as rigidity, stereotypical behaviour that might also be due to the inhibiting properties of the inflammatory state on the brain in persons suffering from autism spectrum disorders, could be connected to inflammation.…”

The Effects of a Meldonium Pre-Treatment on the Course of the LPS-Induced Sepsis in Rats

“…This further increase in the liver of the M + S group may be explained by a link to the carnitine availability. It has been proposed that carnitine deficiency might cause DHA deficiency [ 100 ], thus representing a common denominator in various oxidative phosphorylation and FFAs β-oxidation disorders [ 101 ]. Therefore, the increased DHA concentration in the M + S group could be explained by the simultaneous increase in liver carnitine ( Table 3 ).…”

Healthy Food Pyramid as Well as Physical and Mental Activity in the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease

“…Many studies have proven that L-carnitine (LC), which should be supplied with the diet (red meat and dairy products) [16][17][18], or delivered as a dietary supplement, plays an important role in preventing AD [19,20]. L-carnitine acetylation increases its hydrophobicity that permits acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) to cross the blood-brain barrier.…”