New research at the University of Alberta may make it easier to diagnose serious diseases that disrupt the body's energy supply.
In a recently published study, researchers looked at 297 people with suspected primary mitochondrial disorders to get an understanding of their causes and improve diagnosis and treatment.
An estimated one in 5,000 people has a genetic mitochondrial disease. Mitochondria are an essential part of our cells, and when something goes wrong with them, it's a big problem.
"Mitochondria produce energy for every cell, tissue and organ in our body," says Anastasia Ambrose, first author of the study. "So if we have variants in our mitochondrial DNA and our mitochondria aren't functioning properly, it can affect any and every organ."
