Leigh Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of the Disease and Present and Future Treatments

Leigh syndrome (LS) is a severe neurodegenerative condition with an early onset, typically during early childhood or infancy. The disorder exhibits substantial clinical and genetic diversity. From a clinical standpoint, Leigh syndrome showcases a broad range of irregularities, ranging from severe ne...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Giuseppe Magro, Vincenzo Laterza, Federico Tosto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Biomedicines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/733
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850204921287147520
author Giuseppe Magro
Vincenzo Laterza
Federico Tosto
author_facet Giuseppe Magro
Vincenzo Laterza
Federico Tosto
author_sort Giuseppe Magro
collection DOAJ
description Leigh syndrome (LS) is a severe neurodegenerative condition with an early onset, typically during early childhood or infancy. The disorder exhibits substantial clinical and genetic diversity. From a clinical standpoint, Leigh syndrome showcases a broad range of irregularities, ranging from severe neurological issues to minimal or no discernible abnormalities. The central nervous system is most affected, resulting in psychomotor retardation, seizures, nystagmus, ophthalmoparesis, optic atrophy, ataxia, dystonia, or respiratory failure. Some patients also experience involvement of the peripheral nervous system, such as polyneuropathy or myopathy, as well as non-neurological anomalies, such as diabetes, short stature, hypertrichosis, cardiomyopathy, anemia, renal failure, vomiting, or diarrhea (Leigh-like syndrome). Mutations associated with Leigh syndrome impact genes in both the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Presently, LS remains without a cure and shows limited response to various treatments, although certain case reports suggest potential improvement with supplements. Ongoing preclinical studies are actively exploring new treatment approaches. This review comprehensively outlines the genetic underpinnings of LS, its current treatment methods, and preclinical investigations, with a particular focus on treatment.
format Article
id doaj-art-0da2bee07e824ea69c9c991b3606dbe9
institution OA Journals
issn 2227-9059
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Biomedicines
spelling doaj-art-0da2bee07e824ea69c9c991b3606dbe92025-08-20T02:11:12ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-03-0113373310.3390/biomedicines13030733Leigh Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of the Disease and Present and Future TreatmentsGiuseppe Magro0Vincenzo Laterza1Federico Tosto2Department of Neuroscience, “Giovanni Paolo II” Hospital, 88100 Lamezia Terme, ItalyDepartment of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Institute of Neurology, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyDepartment of Neuroscience, “Giovanni Paolo II” Hospital, 88100 Lamezia Terme, ItalyLeigh syndrome (LS) is a severe neurodegenerative condition with an early onset, typically during early childhood or infancy. The disorder exhibits substantial clinical and genetic diversity. From a clinical standpoint, Leigh syndrome showcases a broad range of irregularities, ranging from severe neurological issues to minimal or no discernible abnormalities. The central nervous system is most affected, resulting in psychomotor retardation, seizures, nystagmus, ophthalmoparesis, optic atrophy, ataxia, dystonia, or respiratory failure. Some patients also experience involvement of the peripheral nervous system, such as polyneuropathy or myopathy, as well as non-neurological anomalies, such as diabetes, short stature, hypertrichosis, cardiomyopathy, anemia, renal failure, vomiting, or diarrhea (Leigh-like syndrome). Mutations associated with Leigh syndrome impact genes in both the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. Presently, LS remains without a cure and shows limited response to various treatments, although certain case reports suggest potential improvement with supplements. Ongoing preclinical studies are actively exploring new treatment approaches. This review comprehensively outlines the genetic underpinnings of LS, its current treatment methods, and preclinical investigations, with a particular focus on treatment.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/733Leigh syndromegeneticsneurologytherapypreclinical research
spellingShingle Giuseppe Magro
Vincenzo Laterza
Federico Tosto
Leigh Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of the Disease and Present and Future Treatments
Biomedicines
Leigh syndrome
genetics
neurology
therapy
preclinical research
title Leigh Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of the Disease and Present and Future Treatments
title_full Leigh Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of the Disease and Present and Future Treatments
title_fullStr Leigh Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of the Disease and Present and Future Treatments
title_full_unstemmed Leigh Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of the Disease and Present and Future Treatments
title_short Leigh Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of the Disease and Present and Future Treatments
title_sort leigh syndrome a comprehensive review of the disease and present and future treatments
topic Leigh syndrome
genetics
neurology
therapy
preclinical research
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/3/733
work_keys_str_mv AT giuseppemagro leighsyndromeacomprehensivereviewofthediseaseandpresentandfuturetreatments
AT vincenzolaterza leighsyndromeacomprehensivereviewofthediseaseandpresentandfuturetreatments
AT federicotosto leighsyndromeacomprehensivereviewofthediseaseandpresentandfuturetreatments