Category FAQs Search : Leigh Syndrome (Leigh’s Disease)
Question: What are mitochondrial diseases?
Answer: Mitochondria are your body’s energy factories. These tiny cellular structures convert the energy in fatty acids and glucose into a substance called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This substance energizes cells.
All cells (except red blood cells) have mitochondria. Mitochondrial diseases occur when mitochondria don’t function as they should. As the energy output of cells diminishes, cell damage or death occurs. Your nervous system requires a lot of energy to function. Leigh syndrome damages or destroys cells in your child’s nervous system that provide energy to their brain, nerves and spinal cord.
(Source: Cleveland Clinic, 21 Nov 2025)
Source Link: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6037-leigh-syndrome-leighs-disease