title: Mitochondrial cytopathies.
abstract: Mitochondrial cytopathies represent a heterogeneous group of multisystem disorders which preferentially affect the muscle and nervous systems. They are caused either by mutations in the maternally inherited mitochondrial genome, or by nuclear DNA-mutations. Today, approximately 200 different disease causing mutations of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are known, and due to the increased knowledge about nuclear genetics during the last few years, more and more nuclear mutations are being described. Owing to the non-uniform distribution of mitochondria in tissues and the co-existence of mutated and wildtype mtDNA (heteroplasmy) in these organelles, these disorders may present with a huge variety of symptoms, even if the same mutation is involved. Diagnostic investigations should include the measurement of serum and CSF lactate, neuroradiological tests and a muscle biopsy to show the characteristic ragged-red fibres and cytochrome c oxidase deficient cells and also to provide material for genetic analysis. To date, the treatment of these diseases remains supportive and should focus on typical complications such as cardiac dysrhythmia and endocrinopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Carl Gustav Carus University Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany. Janet.Schmiedel@neuro.med.tu-dresden.de
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schmiedel
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: Heinz
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reichmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007625:Kearns-Sayre Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007888:Leigh Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D017241:MELAS Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D017243:MERRF Syndrome / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D017240:Mitochondrial Myopathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009886:Ophthalmoplegia / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D029242:Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial