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Mitochondrial Function Disorders

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How are cyclic vomiting syndrome, depression, migraines, chronic pain and more related to mitochondrial function?

Dr. Richard Boles from Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles discusses the research surrounding functional disorders and mitochondrial disease.

This discussion will dig into questions that are relevant to patients, parents and family members, such as:

  • What does the term “functional disorder” mean?
  • Why is there often a history of chronic pain or illness in families with mitochondrial disease?
  • How are mitochondrial functional disorders and symptoms inherited, and how do genetics relate to chronic symptoms of pain, fatigue, vomiting and depression?
  • How does autism, ADHD, and SIDS relate to mitochondrial dysfunction?
  • Are there any differences in treatment approaches for these conditions in families who have a mitochondrial disease diagnosis already?

About the Speaker

Dr. Boles completed medical school at UCLA, a pediatric residency at Harbor-UCLA, and a genetics fellowship at Yale. He is board certified in Pediatrics, Clinical Genetics and Clinical Biochemical Genetics. His current positions include Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at USC, and Director of the Metabolic and Mitochondrial Disorders Clinic at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles.

Dr. Boles practices the “bedside to bench to bedside” model of a physician-scientist, combining a very active clinical practice in metabolic and mitochondrial disorders with basic research as director of a mitochondrial genetics laboratory at the Saban Research Institute. Dr. Boles’ clinical and research focus is on polymorphisms (common genetic changes) in the maternally-inherited mitochondrial DNA, and their effects on the development of common functional disorders. Examples include migraine, depression, cyclic vomiting syndrome, complex regional pain syndrome, autism and SIDS.

Date: 12/03/2010
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