Mitochondrial dysfunction in health and disease

Our focus is on clinical and genetic aspects, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of human mitochondrial disease. We are also interested in other mainly neurological and neurogenetic diseases, where mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to the disease pathophysiology.

Research group information

Contact information

Research group leader

  • Professor
    Mika Martikainen

Research group description

Our focus is on clinical and genetic aspects, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of human mitochondrial disease. We are also interested in other mainly neurological and neurogenetic diseases, where mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to the disease pathophysiology.

Example publications:

Incidence and prevalence of mtDNA-related adult mitochondrial disease in Southwest Finland, 2009–2022: an observational, population-based study - PMC (nih.gov)

Consensus-based statements for the management of mitochondrial stroke-like episodes - PMC (nih.gov)

Clinical, Genetic, and Radiological Features of Extrapyramidal Movement Disorders in Mitochondrial Disease | Genetics and Genomics | JAMA Neurology | JAMA Network

Our team

Where are we headed

We aim to understand better the spectrum of clinical features in mitochondrial disease and improve the ways of diagnosing and taking care of individuals with these conditions. As mitochondria are crucial for cellular energy production, we are also interested in the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in other forms of neurodegenerative and neurogenetic disease.

Our main collaborators

  • Professor emeritus Kari Majamaa (Oulu)
  • Docent Laura Kytövuori (Oulu/Tampere)
  • Professor Valtteri Kaasinen (Turku)
  • Professor Jussi Hirvonen (Tampere)
  • Dr Yi Shiau Ng (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK)
  • Professor Johannes Kettunen (Oulu)
  • Professor Vesa Kiviniemi (Oulu)

How to find us

Research Unit of Clincal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine

Contact: mika.martikainen(at)oulu.fi