Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders, including autistic disorder, Asperger's syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder and childhood disintegrative disorder. Mitochondria not only provide neurons with energy in the form of ATP to sustain neuron growth, proliferation and neurodevelopment, but also regulate neuron apoptosis, intracellular calcium ion (Ca(2+)) homeostasis, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) clearance. Due to their postmitotic state and high energy-demanded feature, neurons are particularly prone to mitophagy and mitochondrial disfu...
