U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Progressive external ophthalmoplegia with mitochondrial DNA deletions, autosomal dominant 1(PEOA1)

MedGen UID:
371919
Concept ID:
C1834846
Disease or Syndrome
Synonyms: PEOA1; PROGRESSIVE EXTERNAL OPHTHALMOPLEGIA, AUTOSOMAL DOMINANT 1
 
Gene (location): POLG (15q26.1)
 
Monarch Initiative: MONDO:0024528
OMIM®: 157640

Definition

POLG-related disorders comprise a continuum of overlapping phenotypes that were clinically defined long before their molecular basis was known. Most affected individuals have some, but not all, of the features of a given phenotype; nonetheless, the following nomenclature can assist the clinician in diagnosis and management. Onset of the POLG-related disorders ranges from infancy to late adulthood. Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome (AHS), one of the most severe phenotypes, is characterized by childhood-onset progressive and ultimately severe encephalopathy with intractable epilepsy and hepatic failure. Childhood myocerebrohepatopathy spectrum (MCHS) presents between the first few months of life and about age three years with developmental delay or dementia, lactic acidosis, and a myopathy with failure to thrive. Other findings can include liver failure, renal tubular acidosis, pancreatitis, cyclic vomiting, and hearing loss. Myoclonic epilepsy myopathy sensory ataxia (MEMSA) now describes the spectrum of disorders with epilepsy, myopathy, and ataxia without ophthalmoplegia. MEMSA now includes the disorders previously described as spinocerebellar ataxia with epilepsy (SCAE). The ataxia neuropathy spectrum (ANS) includes the phenotypes previously referred to as mitochondrial recessive ataxia syndrome (MIRAS) and sensory ataxia neuropathy dysarthria and ophthalmoplegia (SANDO). About 90% of persons in the ANS have ataxia and neuropathy as core features. Approximately two thirds develop seizures and almost one half develop ophthalmoplegia; clinical myopathy is rare. Autosomal recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia (arPEO) is characterized by progressive weakness of the extraocular eye muscles resulting in ptosis and ophthalmoparesis (or paresis of the extraocular muscles) without associated systemic involvement; however, caution is advised because many individuals with apparently isolated arPEO at the onset develop other manifestations of POLG-related disorders over years or decades. Of note, in the ANS spectrum the neuropathy commonly precedes the onset of PEO by years to decades. Autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia (adPEO) typically includes a generalized myopathy and often variable degrees of sensorineural hearing loss, axonal neuropathy, ataxia, depression, parkinsonism, hypogonadism, and cataracts (in what has been called "chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia plus," or "CPEO+"). [from GeneReviews]

Additional descriptions

From OMIM
Progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO) is characterized by multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions in skeletal muscle. The most common clinical features include adult onset of weakness of the external eye muscles and exercise intolerance. Additional symptoms are variable, and may include cataracts, hearing loss, sensory axonal neuropathy, ataxia, depression, hypogonadism, and parkinsonism. Both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance can occur; autosomal recessive inheritance is usually more severe (Filosto et al., 2003; Luoma et al., 2004). Genetic Heterogeneity of Autosomal Dominant Progressive External Ophthalmoplegia with DNA Deletions See also PEOA2 (609283), caused by mutation in the ANT1 gene (SLC25A4; 103220) on chromosome 4q34; PEOA3 (609286), caused by mutation in the TWNK (C10ORF2) gene (606075) on chromosome 10q24; PEOA4 (610131), caused by mutation in the POLG2 gene (604983) on chromosome 17q23; PEOA5 (613077), caused by mutation in the RRM2B gene (604712) on chromosome 8q23; and PEOA6 (615156), caused by mutation in the DNA2 gene (601810) on chromosome 10q21.  http://www.omim.org/entry/157640
From MedlinePlus Genetics
Progressive external ophthalmoplegia is part of a spectrum of disorders with overlapping signs and symptoms. Similar disorders include ataxia neuropathy spectrum and Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Like progressive external ophthalmoplegia, the other conditions in this spectrum can involve weakness of the eye muscles. However, these conditions have many additional features not shared by most people with progressive external ophthalmoplegia.

Although muscle weakness is the primary symptom of progressive external ophthalmoplegia, this condition can be accompanied by other signs and symptoms. In these instances, the condition is referred to as progressive external ophthalmoplegia plus (PEO+). Additional signs and symptoms can include hearing loss caused by nerve damage in the inner ear (sensorineural hearing loss), weakness and loss of sensation in the limbs due to nerve damage (neuropathy), impaired muscle coordination (ataxia), a pattern of movement abnormalities known as parkinsonism, and depression.

When the muscle cells of affected individuals are stained and viewed under a microscope, these cells usually appear abnormal. These abnormal muscle cells contain an excess of cell structures called mitochondria and are known as ragged-red fibers.

Progressive external ophthalmoplegia is a condition characterized by weakness of the eye muscles. The condition typically appears in adults between ages 18 and 40 and slowly worsens over time. The first sign of progressive external ophthalmoplegia is typically drooping eyelids (ptosis), which can affect one or both eyelids. As ptosis worsens, affected individuals may use the forehead muscles to try to lift the eyelids, or they may lift up their chin in order to see. Another characteristic feature of progressive external ophthalmoplegia is weakness or paralysis of the muscles that move the eye (ophthalmoplegia). Affected individuals have to turn their head to see in different directions, especially as the ophthalmoplegia worsens. People with progressive external ophthalmoplegia may also have general weakness of the muscles used for movement (myopathy), particularly those in the neck, arms, or legs. The weakness may be especially noticeable during exercise (exercise intolerance). Muscle weakness may also cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).  https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/progressive-external-ophthalmoplegia

Clinical features

From HPO
Exercise intolerance
MedGen UID:
603270
Concept ID:
C0424551
Finding
A functional motor deficit where individuals whose responses to the challenges of exercise fail to achieve levels considered normal for their age and gender.
Premature ovarian insufficiency
MedGen UID:
9963
Concept ID:
C0025322
Disease or Syndrome
Amenorrhea due to loss of ovarian function before the age of 40. Primary ovarian inssuficiency (POI) is a state of female hypergonadotropic hypogonadism. It can manifest as primary amenorrhea with onset before menarche or secondary amenorrhea.
Testicular atrophy
MedGen UID:
57626
Concept ID:
C0156312
Disease or Syndrome
Wasting (atrophy) of the testicle (the male gonad) manifested by a decrease in size and potentially by a loss of fertility.
Primary amenorrhea
MedGen UID:
115918
Concept ID:
C0232939
Disease or Syndrome
Abnormally late or absent menarche in a female with normal secondary sexual characteristics.
Secondary amenorrhea
MedGen UID:
115919
Concept ID:
C0232940
Disease or Syndrome
The cessation of menstruation for six months or more in a female that is not pregnant, breastfeeding or menopausal.
Limb muscle weakness
MedGen UID:
107956
Concept ID:
C0587246
Finding
Reduced strength and weakness of the muscles of the arms and legs.
Pes cavus
MedGen UID:
675590
Concept ID:
C0728829
Congenital Abnormality
An increase in height of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot that does not flatten on weight bearing (i.e., a distinctly hollow form of the sole of the foot when it is bearing weight).
Dysphagia
MedGen UID:
41440
Concept ID:
C0011168
Disease or Syndrome
Difficulty in swallowing.
Gastroparesis
MedGen UID:
101809
Concept ID:
C0152020
Disease or Syndrome
Decreased strength of the muscle layer of stomach, which leads to a decreased ability to empty the contents of the stomach despite the absence of obstruction.
Sensorineural hearing loss disorder
MedGen UID:
9164
Concept ID:
C0018784
Disease or Syndrome
A type of hearing impairment in one or both ears related to an abnormal functionality of the cochlear nerve.
Depression
MedGen UID:
4229
Concept ID:
C0011581
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Frequently experiencing feelings of being down, miserable, and/or hopeless; struggling to recover from these moods; having a pessimistic outlook on the future; feeling a pervasive sense of shame; having a low self-worth; experiencing thoughts of suicide and engaging in suicidal behavior.
Dysarthria
MedGen UID:
8510
Concept ID:
C0013362
Mental or Behavioral Dysfunction
Dysarthric speech is a general description referring to a neurological speech disorder characterized by poor articulation. Depending on the involved neurological structures, dysarthria may be further classified as spastic, flaccid, ataxic, hyperkinetic and hypokinetic, or mixed.
Bradykinesia
MedGen UID:
115925
Concept ID:
C0233565
Sign or Symptom
Bradykinesia literally means slow movement, and is used clinically to denote a slowness in the execution of movement (in contrast to hypokinesia, which is used to refer to slowness in the initiation of movement).
Resting tremor
MedGen UID:
66697
Concept ID:
C0234379
Sign or Symptom
A resting tremor occurs when muscles are at rest and becomes less noticeable or disappears when the affected muscles are moved. Resting tremors are often slow and coarse.
Slurred speech
MedGen UID:
65885
Concept ID:
C0234518
Finding
Abnormal coordination of muscles involved in speech.
Hand tremor
MedGen UID:
68689
Concept ID:
C0239842
Finding
An unintentional, oscillating to-and-fro muscle movement affecting the hand.
Parkinsonian disorder
MedGen UID:
66079
Concept ID:
C0242422
Disease or Syndrome
Characteristic neurologic anomaly resulting from degeneration of dopamine-generating cells in the substantia nigra, a region of the midbrain, characterized clinically by shaking, rigidity, slowness of movement and difficulty with walking and gait.
Hyporeflexia
MedGen UID:
195967
Concept ID:
C0700078
Finding
Reduction of neurologic reflexes such as the knee-jerk reaction.
Gait ataxia
MedGen UID:
155642
Concept ID:
C0751837
Sign or Symptom
A type of ataxia characterized by the impairment of the ability to coordinate the movements required for normal walking. Gait ataxia is characteirzed by a wide-based staggering gait with a tendency to fall.
Sensory axonal neuropathy
MedGen UID:
334116
Concept ID:
C1842587
Finding
An axonal neuropathy of peripheral sensory nerves.
Parkinsonism with favorable response to dopaminergic medication
MedGen UID:
375989
Concept ID:
C1846868
Disease or Syndrome
Parkinsonism is a clinical syndrome that is a feature of a number of different diseases, including Parkinson disease itself, other neurodegenerative diseases such as progressive supranuclear palsy, and as a side-effect of some neuroleptic medications. Some but not all individuals with Parkinsonism show responsiveness to dopaminergic medication defined as a substantial reduction of amelioration of the component signs of Parkinsonism (including mainly tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability) upon administration of dopaminergic medication.
Impaired distal vibration sensation
MedGen UID:
381262
Concept ID:
C1853767
Finding
A decrease in the ability to perceive vibration in the distal portions of the limbs.
Impaired distal proprioception
MedGen UID:
867227
Concept ID:
C4021585
Finding
A loss or impairment of the sensation of the relative position of parts of the body and joint position occurring at distal joints.
Rigidity
MedGen UID:
7752
Concept ID:
C0026837
Sign or Symptom
Continuous involuntary sustained muscle contraction. When an affected muscle is passively stretched, the degree of resistance remains constant regardless of the rate at which the muscle is stretched. This feature helps to distinguish rigidity from muscle spasticity.
Rhabdomyolysis
MedGen UID:
19775
Concept ID:
C0035410
Pathologic Function
Breakdown of muscle fibers that leads to the release of muscle fiber contents (myoglobin) into the bloodstream.
Progressive muscle weakness
MedGen UID:
68704
Concept ID:
C0240421
Finding
Facial palsy
MedGen UID:
87660
Concept ID:
C0376175
Disease or Syndrome
Facial nerve palsy is a dysfunction of cranial nerve VII (the facial nerve) that results in inability to control facial muscles on the affected side with weakness of the muscles of facial expression and eye closure. This can either be present in unilateral or bilateral form.
Muscular atrophy
MedGen UID:
892680
Concept ID:
C0541794
Pathologic Function
The presence of skeletal muscular atrophy (which is also known as amyotrophy).
Neck flexor weakness
MedGen UID:
334801
Concept ID:
C1843637
Finding
Weakness of the muscles involved in neck flexion (sternocleidomastoid, longus capitus, longus colli, and scalenus anterior).
Increased variability in muscle fiber diameter
MedGen UID:
336019
Concept ID:
C1843700
Finding
An abnormally high degree of muscle fiber size variation. This phenotypic feature can be observed upon muscle biopsy.
Muscle fiber necrosis
MedGen UID:
376893
Concept ID:
C1850848
Pathologic Function
Abnormal cell death involving muscle fibers usually associated with break in, or absence of, muscle surface fiber membrane and resulting in irreversible damage to muscle fibers.
Ragged-red muscle fibers
MedGen UID:
477048
Concept ID:
C3275417
Finding
An abnormal appearance of muscle fibers observed on muscle biopsy. Ragged red fibers can be visualized with Gomori trichrome staining as irregular and intensely red subsarcolemmal zones, whereas the normal myofibrils are green. The margins of affect fibers appear red and ragged. The ragged-red is due to the accumulation of abnormal mitochondria below the plasma membrane of the muscle fiber, leading to the appearance of a red rim and speckled sarcoplasm.
Multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions
MedGen UID:
479006
Concept ID:
C3277376
Finding
The presence of multiple deletions of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
Cytochrome C oxidase-negative muscle fibers
MedGen UID:
867360
Concept ID:
C4021724
Finding
An abnormally reduced activity of the enzyme cytochrome C oxidase in muscle tissue.
EMG: myopathic abnormalities
MedGen UID:
867362
Concept ID:
C4021726
Pathologic Function
The presence of abnormal electromyographic patterns indicative of myopathy, such as small-short polyphasic motor unit potentials.
Subsarcolemmal accumulations of abnormally shaped mitochondria
MedGen UID:
871128
Concept ID:
C4025597
Anatomical Abnormality
An abnormally increased number of mitochondria in the cytoplasma adjacent to the sarcolemma (muscle cell membrane), whereby the mitochondria also possess an abnormal morphology.
Increased circulating lactate concentration
MedGen UID:
332209
Concept ID:
C1836440
Finding
Abnormally increased level of blood lactate (2-hydroxypropanoic acid). Lactate is produced from pyruvate by lactate dehydrogenase during normal metabolism. The terms lactate and lactic acid are often used interchangeably but lactate (the component measured in blood) is strictly a weak base whereas lactic acid is the corresponding acid. Lactic acidosis is often used clinically to describe elevated lactate but should be reserved for cases where there is a corresponding acidosis (pH below 7.35).
Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism
MedGen UID:
184926
Concept ID:
C0948896
Disease or Syndrome
Reduced function of the gonads (testes in males or ovaries in females) associated with excess pituitary gonadotropin secretion and resulting in delayed sexual development and growth delay.
Ptosis
MedGen UID:
2287
Concept ID:
C0005745
Disease or Syndrome
The upper eyelid margin is positioned 3 mm or more lower than usual and covers the superior portion of the iris (objective); or, the upper lid margin obscures at least part of the pupil (subjective).
Diplopia
MedGen UID:
41600
Concept ID:
C0012569
Disease or Syndrome
Diplopia is a condition in which a single object is perceived as two images, it is also known as double vision.
Cataract
MedGen UID:
39462
Concept ID:
C0086543
Disease or Syndrome
A cataract is an opacity or clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its capsule.
Total ophthalmoplegia
MedGen UID:
57604
Concept ID:
C0155338
Disease or Syndrome
Paralysis of both the extrinsic and intrinsic ocular muscles.
Progressive external ophthalmoplegia
MedGen UID:
102439
Concept ID:
C0162674
Disease or Syndrome
Progressive external ophthalmoplegia is a condition characterized by weakness of the eye muscles. The condition typically appears in adults between ages 18 and 40 and slowly worsens over time. The first sign of progressive external ophthalmoplegia is typically drooping eyelids (ptosis), which can affect one or both eyelids. As ptosis worsens, affected individuals may use the forehead muscles to try to lift the eyelids, or they may lift up their chin in order to see. Another characteristic feature of progressive external ophthalmoplegia is weakness or paralysis of the muscles that move the eye (ophthalmoplegia). Affected individuals have to turn their head to see in different directions, especially as the ophthalmoplegia worsens. People with progressive external ophthalmoplegia may also have general weakness of the muscles used for movement (myopathy), particularly those in the neck, arms, or legs. The weakness may be especially noticeable during exercise (exercise intolerance). Muscle weakness may also cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).\n\nWhen the muscle cells of affected individuals are stained and viewed under a microscope, these cells usually appear abnormal. These abnormal muscle cells contain an excess of cell structures called mitochondria and are known as ragged-red fibers.\n\nAlthough muscle weakness is the primary symptom of progressive external ophthalmoplegia, this condition can be accompanied by other signs and symptoms. In these instances, the condition is referred to as progressive external ophthalmoplegia plus (PEO+). Additional signs and symptoms can include hearing loss caused by nerve damage in the inner ear (sensorineural hearing loss), weakness and loss of sensation in the limbs due to nerve damage (neuropathy), impaired muscle coordination (ataxia), a pattern of movement abnormalities known as parkinsonism, and depression.\n\nProgressive external ophthalmoplegia is part of a spectrum of disorders with overlapping signs and symptoms. Similar disorders include ataxia neuropathy spectrum and Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Like progressive external ophthalmoplegia, the other conditions in this spectrum can involve weakness of the eye muscles. However, these conditions have many additional features not shared by most people with progressive external ophthalmoplegia.

Term Hierarchy

CClinical test,  RResearch test,  OOMIM,  GGeneReviews,  VClinVar  

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Milone M, Massie R
Neurologist 2010 Mar;16(2):84-91. doi: 10.1097/NRL.0b013e3181c78a89. PMID: 20220442
Virgilio R, Ronchi D, Hadjigeorgiou GM, Bordoni A, Saladino F, Moggio M, Adobbati L, Kafetsouli D, Tsironi E, Previtali S, Papadimitriou A, Bresolin N, Comi GP
J Neurol 2008 Sep;255(9):1384-91. Epub 2008 Jun 30 doi: 10.1007/s00415-008-0926-3. PMID: 18575922
Van Goethem G, Martin JJ, Van Broeckhoven C
Acta Neurol Belg 2002 Mar;102(1):39-42. PMID: 12094562
Carrozzo R, Hirano M, Fromenty B, Casali C, Santorelli FM, Bonilla E, DiMauro S, Schon EA, Miranda AF
Neurology 1998 Jan;50(1):99-106. doi: 10.1212/wnl.50.1.99. PMID: 9443465
DiMauro S, Moraes CT
Arch Neurol 1993 Nov;50(11):1197-208. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1993.00540110075008. PMID: 8215979

Diagnosis

Bastian AE, Jugulete G, Manole E, Oprişan LA
Rom J Morphol Embryol 2019;60(1):273-279. PMID: 31263856
Rahman S, Copeland WC
Nat Rev Neurol 2019 Jan;15(1):40-52. doi: 10.1038/s41582-018-0101-0. PMID: 30451971Free PMC Article
Martikainen MH, Hinttala R, Röyttä M, Jääskeläinen S, Wendelin-Saarenhovi M, Parkkola R, Majamaa K
Neuroepidemiology 2012;38(2):114-9. Epub 2012 Feb 24 doi: 10.1159/000336112. PMID: 22377773
Li FY, Tariq M, Croxen R, Morten K, Squier W, Newsom-Davis J, Beeson D, Larsson C
Neurology 1999 Oct 12;53(6):1265-71. doi: 10.1212/wnl.53.6.1265. PMID: 10522883
DiMauro S, Moraes CT
Arch Neurol 1993 Nov;50(11):1197-208. doi: 10.1001/archneur.1993.00540110075008. PMID: 8215979

Therapy

Wilcox RA, Churchyard A, Dahl HH, Hutchison WM, Kirby DM, Thyagarajan D
Mov Disord 2007 May 15;22(7):1020-3. doi: 10.1002/mds.21416. PMID: 17357142
Vu TH, Tanji K, Pallotti F, Golzi V, Hirano M, DiMauro S, Bonilla E
Muscle Nerve 2000 Jan;23(1):80-5. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(200001)23:1<80::aid-mus10>3.0.co;2-v. PMID: 10590409
Moslemi AR, Melberg A, Holme E, Oldfors A
Neurology 1999 Jul 13;53(1):79-84. doi: 10.1212/wnl.53.1.79. PMID: 10408540
Melberg A, Holme E, Oldfors A, Lundberg PO
Neurology 1998 Jan;50(1):299-300. doi: 10.1212/wnl.50.1.299. PMID: 9443501
Kaukonen JA, Amati P, Suomalainen A, Rötig A, Piscaglia MG, Salvi F, Weissenbach J, Fratta G, Comi G, Peltonen L, Zeviani M
Am J Hum Genet 1996 Apr;58(4):763-9. PMID: 8644740Free PMC Article

Prognosis

Simoncini C, Siciliano G, Tognoni G, Mancuso M
Acta Myol 2017 Mar;36(1):25-27. PMID: 28690391Free PMC Article
Hudson G, Schaefer AM, Taylor RW, Tiangyou W, Gibson A, Venables G, Griffiths P, Burn DJ, Turnbull DM, Chinnery PF
Arch Neurol 2007 Apr;64(4):553-7. doi: 10.1001/archneur.64.4.553. PMID: 17420318
Kiechl S, Horváth R, Luoma P, Kiechl-Kohlendorfer U, Wallacher-Scholz B, Stucka R, Thaler C, Wanschitz J, Suomalainen A, Jaksch M, Willeit J
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2004 Aug;75(8):1125-8. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2003.025890. PMID: 15258213Free PMC Article
Wanrooij S, Luoma P, van Goethem G, van Broeckhoven C, Suomalainen A, Spelbrink JN
Nucleic Acids Res 2004;32(10):3053-64. Epub 2004 Jun 4 doi: 10.1093/nar/gkh634. PMID: 15181170Free PMC Article
Lewis S, Hutchison W, Thyagarajan D, Dahl HH
J Neurol Sci 2002 Sep 15;201(1-2):39-44. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(02)00190-9. PMID: 12163192

Clinical prediction guides

Reyes A, Melchionda L, Nasca A, Carrara F, Lamantea E, Zanolini A, Lamperti C, Fang M, Zhang J, Ronchi D, Bonato S, Fagiolari G, Moggio M, Ghezzi D, Zeviani M
Am J Hum Genet 2015 Jul 2;97(1):186-93. Epub 2015 Jun 18 doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2015.05.013. PMID: 26094573Free PMC Article
Hudson G, Schaefer AM, Taylor RW, Tiangyou W, Gibson A, Venables G, Griffiths P, Burn DJ, Turnbull DM, Chinnery PF
Arch Neurol 2007 Apr;64(4):553-7. doi: 10.1001/archneur.64.4.553. PMID: 17420318
Copeland WC, Ponamarev MV, Nguyen D, Kunkel TA, Longley MJ
Acta Biochim Pol 2003;50(1):155-67. PMID: 12673356
Lewis S, Hutchison W, Thyagarajan D, Dahl HH
J Neurol Sci 2002 Sep 15;201(1-2):39-44. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(02)00190-9. PMID: 12163192
Li FY, Tariq M, Croxen R, Morten K, Squier W, Newsom-Davis J, Beeson D, Larsson C
Neurology 1999 Oct 12;53(6):1265-71. doi: 10.1212/wnl.53.6.1265. PMID: 10522883

Supplemental Content

Recent activity

Your browsing activity is empty.

Activity recording is turned off.

Turn recording back on

See more...