The Energy-Deficit Hypothesis of Autism: Multi-Cytokine Convergence on Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Cerebral Energy-Deficit Hypothesis of Autism Spectrum Disorder

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1-2% of children worldwide, yet its etiology remains incompletely understood. Emerging evidence suggests that offspring of parents with autoimmune diseases show elevated autism prevalence. Notably, children of parents or mothers with immune-related conditions, including psoriasis (OR 1.59), maternal type 1 diabetes (HR 2.36 in one large cohort study), and rheumatoid arthritis (OR 1.51), show elevated ASD-associated risk estimates.H