Q: What is MELAS Syndrome?


Answer: It stands for

• Mitochondrial myopathy,


• Encephalopathy,


• Lactic Acidosis, and


• stroke like episodes

It occurs due to defect in mitochondrial genome. Important diagnostic feature - it is inherited purely from the maternal parent though can manifest in either gender.

Early symptoms include muscle, headaches, vomiting, and seizures and lately stroke-like episodes.

"MELAS episode" or attack appears as temporary hemiparesis, altered consciousness, vision abnormalities, seizures and severe headaches like migraines. Most people with MELAS buildup of lactic acid due to mitochondrial error.

There is no treatment known but it is described that Riboflavin (vitamin B2) may help.