The Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Cell
Leigh syndrome
"Leigh syndrome is a severe neurological disorder that usually becomes apparent in the first year of life. This condition is characterized by progressive loss of mental and movement abilities (psychomotor regression) and typically results in death within two to three years, usually due to respiratory failure. A small number of individuals do not develop symptoms until adulthood or have symptoms that worsen more slowly." (ghr.com)
Symptoms
Symptoms of Leigh Syndrome usually progress extremely fast for someone that has this disease. The earliest signs may be poor sucking ability as an infant, and the loss of head control and motor skills. These symptoms may be accompanied by loss of appetite, vomiting, irritability, continuous/endless crying, and in extreme cases, even seizures. As the disorder progresses through life, symptoms may also include A lack of strength and extreme weakness, lack of necessary muscles in the body, and episodes of lactic acidosis, which can lead to impairment of respiratory and kidney functio, which are vital for human life. (MedicineNet.com)
Causes
Leigh syndrome can be contracted by mutations in any of more than 75 different genes in the human body. Most of our genes are made up of DNA in the cell's nucleus (nuclear DNA). Some of our genes are made up of DNA in other cell structures called mitochondria. Most people with Leigh syndrome have a mutation in nuclear DNA, and about 20% have a mutation in mtDNA.
Most genes involved with Leigh syndrome are associated in the process of energy production in mitochondria (oxidative phosphorylation). Five protein complexes, named complex I through complex IV, are necessary in this process. A number of the gene mutations associated with Leigh syndrome corrupt the function of proteins in these complexes, how the complexes form, or additional levels relevant to energy production. Researchers of this awful disease believe that impaired oxidative phosphorylation can cause cells to actually die because they don't have enough energy to survive. The death of brain cells more than likely contributes to the neurologic features of the condition, while the death of cells in other tissues may lead to additional symptoms in other parts of the body.
What can be done?
As of current day, researchers are still working on finding a cure/resolution that can be performed to help heal someone with Leigh Syndrome, it is an incurable and untreatable disease. Leigh syndrome is caused by a mutation in any of the 75+ genes in the body. Because most genes in the body involved with Leigh Syndrome are associated in the process of energy production in Mitochondria, We have created an enzyme called Mighty-Chondria. This enzyme acts as an extra Mitochondria that prevents the necessary protein complexes from becoming mutated and making a person develop Leigh Syndrome.