A common X-linked inborn error of carnitine biosynthesis may be a risk factor for nondysmorphic autism.

Published May 22, 2012 in PubMed

Data suggest that dysregulation of carnitine metabolism may be important in nondysmorphic autism; that abnormalities of carnitine intake, loss, transport, or synthesis may be important in a larger fraction of nondysmorphic autism cases; and that the carnitine pathway may provide a novel target for therapy or prevention of autism.