Although there is no specific treatment for any of the mitochondrial
myopathies, physical therapy may extend the range of movement of muscles and
improve dexterity. Vitamin therapies such as riboflavin, coenzyme Q, and
carnitine (a specialized amino acid) may provide subjective improvement in
fatigue and energy levels in some patients.
What is the prognosis for mitochondrial disease?
The prognosis for patients with mitochondrial myopathies varies greatly,
depending largely on the type of disease and the degree of involvement of
various organs. These disorders cause progressive weakness and can lead to
death.
What research is being done for mitochondrial disease?
The NINDS conducts and supports research on mitochondrial myopathies. The
goals of this research are to increase scientific understanding of these
disorders and to find ways to effectively treat, prevent, or potentially cure
them.
Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.
Organizations
Muscular Dystrophy Association 3300 East Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ 85718-3208 mda@mdausa.org http://www.mda.org
Tel: 520-529-2000
800-344-4863
Fax: 520-529-5300
United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation 8085 Saltsburg Road Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 15239 info@umdf.org http://www.umdf.org
Tel: 412-793-8077
Fax: 412-793-6477
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) P.O. Box 1968 (55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968 orphan@rarediseases.org http://www.rarediseases.org
Tel: 203-744-0100
Voice Mail 800-999-NORD (6673)
Fax: 203-798-2291
SOURCE: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Nausea is an uneasiness of the stomach that often precedes vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are not diseases, but they are symptoms of many conditions. The causes of vomiting differ according to age, and treatment depends upon the cause of nausea and vomiting.
Dementia is a significant loss of intellectual abilities such as memory capacity, severe enough to interfere with social or occupational functioning. There are different criteria classification schemes for dementias such as cortical, subcortical, progressive, primary, and secondary dementias. Other conditions and medication reactions can also cause dementia. Dementia is diagnosed based on a certain set of criteria. Treatment for dementia is generally focused on the symptoms of the disease.
Epilepsy is a brain disorder in which the person has seizures. There are two kinds of seizures, focal and generalized. There are many causes of epilepsy. Treatment of epilepsy (seizures) depends upon the cause and type of seizures experienced.
Heart rhythm disorders vary from minor palpitations, premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), sinus tachycardia, and sinus brachycardia, to abnormal heart rhythms such as tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), Wolf-White-Parkinson syndrome, brachycardia, or heart blocks. Treatment is dependant upon the type of heart rhythm disorder.
Autism in children and adults is a developmental disorder, characterized by impaired development in communication, social interaction, and behavior. Autism is classified as a pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), which is part of a broad spectrum of developmental disorders affecting young children and adults. There are numerous theories and studies about the cause of autism. The treatment model for autism is an educational program that is suitable to an individual's developmental level of performance. There is no "cure" for autism.
Genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance (for example, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis), multifactoral inheritance, chromosome abnormalities (for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome), and mitochondrial inheritance (for example, epilepsy and dementia).
Seizures are divided into two categories: generalized and partial. Generalized seizures are produced by electrical impulses from throughout the brain, while partial seizures are produced by electrical impulses in a small part of the brain. Seizure symptoms include unconsciousness, convulsions, and muscle rigidity.
Heart failure is caused by many conditions including coronary artery disease, heart attack, cardiomyopathy, and conditions that overwork the heart. Symptoms of heart failure include congested lungs, fluid and water retention, dizziness, fatigue and weakness, and rapid or irregular heartbeats.
MELAS syndrome, a rare form of dementia, stands for Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic Acidosis, and Stroke-like episodes. Mutations in the genetic material (DNA) in the mitochondria cause MELAS syndrome. Symptoms of MELAS include brain dysfunction (encephalopathy) with seizures and headaches, muscle disease with lactic acid build-up in the blood, temporary local paralysis, and abnormal thinking (dementia). There is no known treatment for MELAS.
Hearing loss (deafness) may be present at birth or it may manifest later in life. Deafness may be genetic or due to damage from noise. Treatment of deafness depends upon its cause.
Kids get headaches and migraines too. Many adults with headaches started having them as kids, in fact, 20% of adult headache sufferers say their headaches started before age 10, and 50% report their headaches started before age 20.
Leigh's disease (Leigh's syndrome) is a rare genetic neurometabolic disorder. The symptoms of Leigh's disease include loss of appetite, loss of previously acquired motor skills, vomiting, irritability, and seizures. The most common treatment for Leigh's disease is thiamine or Vitamin B1. The prognosis for Leigh's disease is poor.
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