Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy: variable clinical expression within a single kindred. Issue 8 (August 1993)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crimmins, D; Morris, J G; Walker, G L; Sue, C M; Byrne, E; Stevens, S; Jean-Francis, B; Yiannikas, C; Pamphlett, R
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 56:Issue 8(1993)
• Page Start: 900
• Page End: 905
• Publication Date: 1993-08
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.56.8.900
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : The clinical manifestations of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy are described in four generations of a single kindred. The age of onset of major neurological disturbance varied from 3-70 years. In some patients, deafness was the only manifestation; in others, recurrent bouts of status epilepticus associated with focal neurological deficits and headache, caused severe disability or death. Examples of all three adult forms of mitochondrial encephalomyopathy: MELAS, MERFF and Kearns Sayre syndrome, were represented within the kindred. Associated features included deafness, short stature, non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, migraine, peptic ulceration and severe constipation. The nt 3243 A-G MELAS mutation was detected in two members of the kindred. This study highlights the diversity of clinical expression of a mitochondrial mutation within a single kindred.