Mitochondrial Neurogastrointestinal Encephalopathy
National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
It is possible that the main title of the report Mitochondrial Neurogastrointestinal Encephalopathy is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
- MNGIE syndrome
- muscular dystrophy, oculogastrointestinal
- myoneurogastrointestinal encephalopathy syndrome
Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract causing gastrointestinal dysmotility, weakness of extra-ocular muscles causing drooping of the eyelids (ptosis) and restricted eye movements (ophthalmoparesis), degeneration of peripheral nerves causing altered sensation and weakness the distal arms and legs, and general wasting (cachexia). The specific symptoms associated with MNGIE vary from case to case and may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and numbness or sensations of pins and needles in the hands and feet. . Additional findings may occur in some cases. MNGIE is caused by changes (mutations) in the TYMP gene encoding thymidine phosphorylase (TP) and is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
MNGIE patients also show changes (e.g. depletions, deletions, or point mutations) in the genetic material (DNA) of the mitochondria. Mitochondria, found by the hundreds within virtually every cell of the body, generate most of the cellular energy through the respiratory chain enzymes (complexes I-V), which convert electrons derived from sugars and fats into ATP, the energy currency of the cell. The genetic blueprints for essential components of the respiratory chain are mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Disorders due to mitochondrial dysfunction, often defects of the respiratory chain, are called mitochondrial disease. Because energy is essential for many tissue functions, mitochondrial diseases typically affect multiple organs of the body.
United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation
8085 Saltsburg Road Suite 201
Pittsburgh, PA 15239
Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Inc.
12 Roberts Drive
Bedford, MA 01730
Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 East Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ 85718-3208
Muscular Dystrophy Campaign
61 Southwark Street
London, SE1 0HL
NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
Parent Education Network
2107 Industrial Highway
York, PA 17402
Society for Muscular Dystrophy Information International
P.O. Box 7490
Nova Scotia, B4V 2X6
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
700 W. Virginia St., 201
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Children's Mitochondrial Disease Network
30 Heber Walk
England, CW9 5JB
New Horizons Un-Limited, Inc.
811 East Wisconsin Ave
P.O. Box 510034
Milwaukee, WI 53203
Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126
Let Them Hear Foundation
1900 University Avenue, Suite 101
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
14 Pembroke Street
Medford, MA 02155
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It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
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Last Updated: 3/8/2012
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