Interesting myths and facts about mitochondrial disease:
http://www.umdf.org/atf/cf/%7B858ACD34-ECC3-472A-8794-39B92E103561%7D/mitochondrial_myths_patient.pdf
MYTH
Mitochondrial diseases are inherited only from your mother
FACT
The current thinking is that most mitochondrial diseases are the result of one or more complex
inheritance patterns. Most mitochondrial diseases are the result of mutations (changes) in DNA
located in the nucleus of the cell. Only mitochondrial disorders caused by mutations in the
mitochondrial DNA (a specific structure in living cells, located outside the nucleus) are exclusively
inherited from mothers. Another source of mitochondrial disorders, affecting a large percentage of
patients, are poorly functioning mitochondria that become that way:
as a consequence of another disease process (including other chromosomal disorders)
as a result of exposure to toxins or viruses
as a result of other inherited genetic mutations that are not disease-causing until "triggered" by
some other genetic factor.
MYTH
Mitochondrial disease is a childhood disease
FACT
Although mitochondrial disorders are commonly seen in infants and children, they can occur at any age.