Leigh syndrome

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Disease Overview

Leigh syndrome is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative condition. It usually becomes apparent in infancy, often after a viral infection. Rarely, it begins in the teenage or adult years. Signs and symptoms usually progress rapidly. Early symptoms may include poor sucking ability; loss of head control and motor skills; loss of appetite; vomiting; and seizures.[572] As the condition progresses, symptoms may include weakness and lack of muscle tone; spasticity; movement disorders; cerebellar ataxia; and peripheral neuropathy. Complications can lead to impairment of respiratory, heart and kidney function.[12107] The term “Leigh-like syndrome” is often used for people with features that are strongly suggestive of Leigh syndrome but who do not meet the diagnostic criteria.[573] 

The inheritance of Leigh syndrome depends on where the responsible gene is located in each case. This is because it can be due to mutations in either mitochondrial DNA or nuclear DNA:[573][12107][10791]

Treatment is based on the symptoms present and depends on the type of Leigh syndrome a person has.[12107][10791] While life expectancy depends on the cause of Leigh syndrome in each person, most do not survive past mid-childhood or adolescence.[572]


Synonyms

  • Infantile subacute necrotizing encephalopathy
  • Leigh disease
  • LS
  • Subacute necrotizing encephalopathy
  • SNE
  • Necrotizing encephalopathy infantile subacute of Leigh
  • Leigh's necrotizing encephalopathy
  • Leigh's disease

For more information, visit GARD.

National Organization for Rare Disorders