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Case Report: A young man with mitochondrial disease: intellectual impairment and myocardial hypertrophy

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Mitochondrial diseases are rare multisystem disorders caused by pathogenic variants in mitochondrial or nuclear DNA. We report a 23-year-old male presenting with exercise intolerance, fatigue, sluggish responsiveness, and a history of ptosis and bilateral hearing loss. Echocardiography revealed left ventricular hypertrophy, while brain MRI showed cerebellar atrophy and ventricular enlargement. Laboratory tests demonstrated elevated serum lactate, HbA1c, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T. Targeted sequencing identified a pathogenic m.3243A > G variant in the MT-TL1 gene with 55.6% heteroplasmy, confirming mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with cardiac involvement. This case highlights the phenotypic heterogeneity and diagnostic challenges of m.3243A > G-related disorders.

Source: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2026.1802202

Authors: Xiao Luo, Ling Li, Gaofeng Su

Institution: Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College

Language: English

Topic: Mitochondrial Function and Pathology

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801