Autism
Richard E Frye, MD, PhD is a child neurologist at the Rossignol Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona and the world's leading expert on the mitochondrial theory of the origins of autism. In this epsiode of Uncommon Living, he shares his clinical studies that suggest that autism only exists when mitochondria are compromised during the critical phases of neurological development.
Origins
Rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis have increased exponentially in the last decade. While there has been debate on what triggers the onset, it has been found that ASD is the product of developmental brain abnormalities with a significant genetic influence. There is also the hypothesis that autism may be a contiguous gene disorder (Batshaw and Towbin, 2001).
However, in a recent Uncommon Living episode, Dr. Richard E Frye, MD, PhD shared his clinical studies that suggest that autism may exist when mitochondria are compromised during the critical phases of neurological development -- i.e., during pregnancy and the first several years of life. According to Dr. Frye, it is this mitochondrial impairment that causes the brain to development along an atypical trajectory until later, some immunological event initiates the onset of autism.
Mechanisms
One speculation is that the key mechanisms of autism involve several interconnected biological systems that affect brain development and function. It is theorized that the complex behaviors expressed in autistic individuals may be guided by multiple overlapping neural mechanisms (Waterhouse et al. 1996). Other studies suggest the superior temporal sulcus (STS) region of the brain as a mechanism underlying social perception dysfunction in this disorder (Pelphrey and Carter, 2008). However, a simpler explanation that encompasses all other theories is that autism originates in mitochondrial impairment. What Causes Autism? further discusses how this mitochondrial impairment can result in atypical neurological development in two ways: 1) underpowered neuron growth, and 2) improper pruning of neural connections.
Symptoms
ASD is characterized by impairments of social reciprocity, deficits in communication, and the presence of restrictive behaviors (Batshaw and Towbin, 2001). Abnormalities in responses to sensory stimuli are also highly prevalent in individuals with autism, including other symptoms such as repetitive behavior, self-injurious behavior, anxiety, inattention, and gastrointestinal complaints (Hazen et al. 2014). Among these gastrointestinal complaints include mild to moderate degrees of inflammation in both the upper and lower intestinal tract, as well as decreased digestive enzyme activities (Horvath and Perman, 2002).
Recent approaches to autism treatment include various non-pharmacological and pharmacological therapy, such as food supplementation, detoxification, treatment of neuroinflammation, and immunologic treatments. What causes autism? describes how therapies targeting mitochondrial function, such as nutritional supplements that support metabolism, have successfully treated autism by reducing the severity of symptoms. While there is no curative treatment for autism, other recommended treatments often involve educational therapies including speech therapy, sensory integration therapy, and auditory therapy. Psychotropic medications are sometimes found to be effective in treating various behavioral symptoms of autism (Kumar et al. 2012). Along with this, the most well-known treatments for sensory symptoms in ASD involve a program of occupational therapy that is specifically tailored to the needs of the individual, which may include sensory integration therapy, a sensory diet, and environmental modifications (Hazen et al. 2014).
What treats autism? examines the impact that metabolism & mitochondrial therapies can have on recovering lost neurological capacities from autism. These mitochondrial therapies can be categorized as support, stimulations & protection. This article explains how mitochondrial support might improve the efficacy of typical behavioral therapies, as well as how mitochondrial interventions may direct neuroplasticity towards improved neural function. For example, Episode 5 of Uncommon Living features Nicole Rincon, a mother of triplets, two of which were diagnosed with autism. In this episode, she shares how she developed therapies that target mitochondria to reverse their neurological regression to the point where one of her boys has lost his diagnosis. While there are limited studies on the effects of cold plunge therapy and autism, warm water hydrotherapy has been proven effective for reducing severity of symptoms in children diagnosed with ASD (Kalra et al. 2025). This suggests the mitochondrial benefits of cold plunge might have positive effects for treating autism.
References
-
Batshaw ML, Towbin KE. The origins of autism. Pediatric Research. 2001;50(1):1-.
-
Hazen EP, Stornelli JL, O’Rourke JA, Koesterer K, McDougle CJ. Sensory symptoms in autism spectrum disorders. Harvard review of psychiatry. 2014 Mar 1;22(2):112-24.
-
Horvath K, Perman JA. Autism and gastrointestinal symptoms. Current gastroenterology reports. 2002 Jun;4(3):251-8.)
-
Kalra R, Chatterjee S, Goyal M, Goyal K. Aquatic Therapy and Autism: A Therapeutic Alliance. In Rehabilitation Approach in Autism 2025 Apr 12 (pp. 121-133). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
-
Kumar B, Prakash A, Sewal RK, Medhi B, Modi M. Drug therapy in autism: a present and future perspective. Pharmacological Reports. 2012 Nov 1;64(6):1291-304.
-
Pelphrey KA, Carter EJ. Brain mechanisms for social perception: lessons from autism and typical development. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2008 Dec;1145(1):283-99.
-
Waterhouse L, Fein D, Modahl C. Neurofunctional mechanisms in autism. Psychological review. 1996 Jul;103(3):457.
The statements found within this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These statements, along with the products of Morozko Forge, are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The testimonials and information included in this website is for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace the advice of your physician or health care provider.