Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Leigh Syndrome Causes

Leigh syndrome or also known as leigh disease is the inherited neurometabolic disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of the central nervous system. It usually affects infant between the ages of three months and two years, however, adolescents and adults may also suffer from this disease.

Leigh syndrome is caused by defects in in the function of mitochondria within the cells of the body. Mitochondria are the energy factories of cells, which convert energy from glucose and fatty acid into a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The energy stored in ATP is then used to perform almost all functions of cell metabolism.

More → Leigh Syndrome Causes