Clinical Long Term Evaluation of Glutamine Supplement in MELAS Syndrome

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) syndrome is a genetically heterogeneous disorder. The most common mutation is in the mtDNA gene MT-TL1 encoding the mitochondrial tRNALeu (UUR). For understanding the development of seizures in patients with mitochondrial disease, a study has recently emphasized the deficiency of astrocytic glutamine synthetase, creating a disinhibited neuronal network for seizure generation. The investigators propose to evaluate nine patients with mitochondrial DNA mutation and MELAS. Patients will receive oral supplementation with 12-18 g/day of glutamine (adjusted for weight and plasma concentrations). The primary outcome measures modification in clinical scales.