Resembling pathogenetic mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

This analytical review examines the common pathophysiological mechanisms and genetic resemblance of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), which are commonly viewed as separate pathologies associated with different periods of human life. A common network of interconnected biological processes that unite ASD and AD, including chronic neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and energy deficiency, as well as hormonal dysfunction of various endocrine systems are being discussed in the review. The presented research data indicate that AD and ASD share a number of similar pathophysiological processes at the level of molecules, genes, and cellular mechanisms, which form a universal pathogenetic framework leading to neuronal dysfunction and death. Current researches on these processes are effective for developing common or similar treatment approaches at the biological level, despite differences in clinical manifestations and age of onset.