A certain role of SOD/CAT imbalance in pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders

Suggested mechanism of ASD pathogenesis. Environmental factors such as heavy metals may cause a mitochondrial damage. This leads to the malfunction of electron transport chain and decrease of SOD activity. Both of these lead to enhanced production and diminished scavenging of ROS. Further, dysfunctional mitochondria can create a self-perpetuating cycle of progressive damage that amplifies functional deficits, affects cellular proteins/DNA, and induce persistent inflammatory signals via DAMPs release.176