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Hello Anonymous,

Welcome to EmpowHER.

MELAS is a rare genetic disorder which results in stroke and dementia. MELAS is an abbreviation that stands for Mitochondrial Encephalopathy, Lactic acidosis, and Stroke-like episodes.

It is caused by mutations in the genetic material (DNA) in the mitochondria. While most of our DNA is in the chromosomes in the cell nucleus, some of our DNA is in another important structure called the mitochondrion (plural: mitochondria).

As a result of the disturbed function of their cells' mitochondria, patients with MELAS develop brain dysfunction (encephalopathy) with seizures and headaches,as well as muscle disease with a build-up of lactic acid in the blood (a condition called lactic acidosis),temporary local paralysis (stroke-like episodes), and abnormal thinking (dementia).

Regards,
Maryann

August 22, 2017 - 8:42am

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