What Is MELAS Syndrome?
MELAS syndrome, which stands for mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke, is a rare but dangerous medical condition that usually becomes apparent in children and teenagers, though symptoms occasionally emerge in later stages of life. Researchers and physicians believe that the disorder is related to mutations of mitochondrial DNA. Individuals with MELAS syndrome are prone to chronic headaches, seizures, muscle fatigue, and dementia. There is no known cure for the disease, but medications and therapy have shown promise in providing relief for some symptoms and delaying the onset of debilitating muscle and brain problems. Doctors understand the effects of MELAS syndrome, though the exact causes of the disease are still largely a mystery. There is strong evidence to suggest that the syndrome is primarily inherited from mothers who carry mutated genetic material. Genetic mutations of an individual’s mitochondrial DNA can cause significant muscle, brain, and nerv
