Pilot Compassionate Use Study of Thioctic Acid Treatment in Mitochondrial Myopathy

PROTOCOL ENTRY CRITERIA: --Disease Characteristics-- * Long standing ophthalmoparesis and fatiguable weakness of the limbs * Mild ataxia and no central nervous system involvement * History of mitochondrial DNA deletion and a measurable biochemical defect of the respiratory chain * Steady deterioration in skeletal muscle mass and power over 5 years --Prior/Concurrent Therapy-- * Previous participation in studies of muscle disease natural history (CRC Protocol 183A)