Meeting Banner
Abstract #0693

Cortical Glutathione Deficit in Patients with the “MELAS” A3243G Mitochondrial DNA Mutation Measured with 1H MRS Documents Oxidative Stress in the Disorder In Vivo

Dikoma C. Shungu1, Kristin Engelstadt2, Xiangling Mao1, Guoxin Kang1, Aya Goji1, Robert H. Fryer2, Savalatore DiMauro2, and Darryl C. De Vivo2

1Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States, 2Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, NY, United States

Although mitochondrial dysfunction has been associated with redox dysregulation, in vivo human brain evidence of such an association is currently lacking. This study aimed to use 1H MRS to measure brain levels of the primary tissue antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in patients with MELAS – a primary mitochondrial disorder – as an objective marker of CNS oxidative stress in such disorders. Compared to healthy control subjects, patients with MELAS showed a 31% lower cortical GSH levels, thereby directly implicating CNS oxidative stress as a player in the disorder and pointing to potential therapeutic interventions based on elevating the levels of cerebral antioxidants.

This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.

Join Here