LEBERS HEREDITARY OPTIC NEUROPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH A DISORDER INDISTINGUISHABLE FROM MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS IN A MALE HARBORING THE MITOCHONDRIAL-DNA 11778-MUTATION

This report describes a multiple sclerosis (MS)-like disorder in a mal e patient with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) harbouring t he mitochondrial DNA 11778 base pair mutation. Given the population fr equencies of MS and LHON, coincidental occurrence is unlikely. Hypothe tically the mitochondrial mutation underlying LHON may contribute to p resumably immunologically mediated involvement of other myelinated axo ns in the central nervous system in susceptible individuals, producing a disorder indistinguishable from MS. We recommend that investigation for oligoclonal bands in CSF, evoked potentials and MR brain scan in these patients be supplemented with mitochondrial DNA analysis.