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Category FAQs Search : Leigh Syndrome (Leigh’s Disease)

Question: What causes Leigh syndrome (Leigh’s disease)?

Answer: Experts have identified mutations in more than 75 different genes that can cause Leigh syndrome. The gene mutations affect your body’s ability to make ATP.

An estimated 8 in 10 children with Leigh syndrome inherit the gene change that causes the condition through one of two ways:

1. Autosomal recessive disorder: A child inherits the same gene mutation from each parent. The parents are carriers of the changed gene, but they don’t have the disease.

2. X-linked recessive genetic disorder: A gene change on an X chromosome causes the condition. It can come from the biological mother or father. If one of the mother’s two X chromosomes has the gene change, there’s a 1 in 4 chance that her son or daughter will inherit the mutated gene. If a boy inherits the gene change, they’ll develop Leigh syndrome; a girl will not. However, a daughter can pass the defective gene to her future children. A father can pass a changed X chromosome to his daughter, but not to his son.

(Source: Cleveland Clinic, 21 Nov 2025)

Source Link: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6037-leigh-syndrome-leighs-disease