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Akron Children's > Departments & Programs

Mitochondrial Center

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A world leader in clinical evaluation, treatment, support, education and research in mitochondrial disease, the Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children's is one of only 18 pediatric hospitals designated a Center of Excellence by the United Mitochondrial Association and one of only 17 mitochondrial centers participating in the North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium.

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About Mitochondrial Center

Akron Children's Mitochondrial Center
A CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

The 1st to treat a mitochondrial patient with elamipretide by Stealth BioTherapeutics

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#1 enrolling site of the North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium (NAMDC) Biobank and the #3 enrolling site in its research database

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Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN

Dr. Cohen is a pediatric neurologist and director of the NeuroDevelopmental Science Center at Akron Children’s. He received his medical degree from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed a pediatric residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a pediatric neurology residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and a pediatric neuro-oncology fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Cohen has a special interest in child neurology, mitochondrial disease, brain tumors, neurofibromatosis, clinical trials, neurometabolic diseases and pediatric neuro-oncology and is considered one of the world’s leading experts in mitochondrial diseases thanks to his extensive work to uncover treatments for patients. He is an active member of a number of professional and volunteer organizations, including the Sigma Xi North American Scientific Society, Child Neurology Society, Mitochondrial Medicine Society and the American Academy of Neurology. Dr. Cohen is a fellow of the National Board of Medical Examiners, the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, boarded in neurology with special competence in child neurology. He has authored hundreds of peer-reviewed publications, published dozens of book chapters, and given more than 600 invited lectures and presentations. Additionally, he is a professor of pediatrics and integrative medical sciences at Northeast Ohio Medical University and is residency director for Neurology at Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital and Pediatric Neurology at Akron Children’s.

Meet Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN

The Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children’s Hospital works in collaboration with the Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute to staff and coordinate clinical trials and other research studies focused on mitochondrial disease.

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Make a donation to support the Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children’s.

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Bruce H. Cohen, MD

Led by Bruce H. Cohen, a global expert in the field of mitochondrial medicine, our center houses one of the largest groups of internationally known mitochondrial experts trained to diagnose undefined neurological diseases and provide coordinated care across multiple subspecialties with access to research and clinical trials.

Patient care is determined on a case-by-case basis, including the potential need for services from other subspecialties. Many of our pediatric patients are seen into adulthood on an annual basis. It is also our mission to enhance diagnostics and advance knowledge of mitochondrial disease through research and clinical trials.

Our Mitochondrial Center is an integral part of Akron Children’s NeuroDevelopmental Science Center, which has been designated a Mitochondrial Care Network Center of Excellence by a consortium of patient advocacy groups including the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and MitoAction.

NeuroDevelopmental Science Center

Akron Children's NeuroDevelopmental Science Center, Akron
Considine Professional Building
215 West Bowery Street
Level 4
Akron, Ohio 44308
Fax: 330-543-8054
Map & directions
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Appointments: 330-543-2778

Department: 330-543-8050

Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute

Akron Children's Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron
Exchange Street Building
130 West Exchange Street
Akron, Ohio 44302
Fax: 330-543-3166
Map & directions
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Department: 330-543-3193

DEPARTMENT HEADS:

Bruce H. Cohen, MD, FAAN

Director, NeuroDevelopmental Science Center; Philip H. Maynard Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Science Fund; Chairman, American Academy of Neurology Advocacy Committee; Pediatric Neurologist

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Patient Rating
5.0out of 5
37 Ratings
17 Comments
PHYSICIANS/PROVIDERS:

Sarah Elizabeth Friebert, MD

Pediatric Palliative Care Physician; Sarah Elizabeth Friebert, M.D. Leadership Chair in Pediatric Palliative Care

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Patient Rating
5.0out of 5
30 Ratings
8 Comments

Matthew Ginsberg, MD

The James F. and Marguerite A. Pearson Endowed Chair in NeuroDevelopmental Sciences for Rare Diseases; Co-Director, Neurofibromatosis Clinic; Pediatric Neurologist

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Patient Rating
4.8out of 5
52 Ratings
13 Comments
Image of Kimberly Martin

 Accepting new patients

Kimberly Martin, MD

Pediatric Endocrinologist

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Patient Rating
4.9out of 5
30 Ratings
13 Comments
Patient Rating
4.8out of 5
61 Ratings
13 Comments
Patient Rating
4.9out of 5
110 Ratings
44 Comments
NURSE PRACTITIONERS/PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS:
Image of Morgan Collier

 Accepting new patients

Patient Rating
5.0out of 5
40 Ratings
10 Comments

Open Clinical Studies

Safety and efficacy of ASP0367 in patients with primary mitochondrial myopathy

See complete study details here.

More about this study

Safety and Efficacy of REN001 in patients with Primary Mitochondrial Myopathy

Please view complete study details here.

More about this study

Efficacy of KL1333 in adult patients with primary mitochondrial disease

For complete details, please view the study on Clinicaltrials.gov

More about this study

The Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children’s is proud to work with these leading mitochondrial organizations and support groups in the United States.

The Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children’s is one of 15 mitochondrial care centers in the United States as designated by the North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium (NAMDC). NAMDC was established to create a network of clinicians and clinical investigators in North America who follow sizeable numbers of patients with mitochondrial diseases and are involved or interested in mitochondrial research. NAMDC is part of the Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network. Dr. Cohen serves on the executive board of NAMDC and has participated in all major projects. The aim of NAMDC have been to foster natural history development, clinical research, a biobank to support translational and laboratory research, disseminate information about mitochondrial disease to the general community and medical community and to serve as a resource to the public, academic and commercial community.

The largest mitochondrial support group in the U.S. is the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF), whose mission is to promote research and education for the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of mitochondrial disorders and to provide support to affected individuals and families. Akron Children’s has been involved by supporting their national symposium and sponsoring a local symposium for professionals and families, participation in mitochondrial scientific meetings, presenting grand rounds and the regional level nationally and participating in their annual local fundraiser, the Energy for Life Walkathon.

The mission of MitoAction is to improve the quality of life for children, adults, and families living with mitochondrial disease through support, education, outreach, advocacy, clinical research initiatives and by granting wishes for children affected by mitochondrial disease. MitoAction strive to make a measurable impact in the lives of those who are affected by mitochondrial disease.

Akron Children's mitochondrial center is credentialed by the Mitochondrial Care Network (MCN) for our comprehensive and quality longitudinal care. The MCN was established as a collaborative effort on behalf of leading mitochondrial disease professional and patient advocacy groups and represents a group of physicians at medical centers across the country that have expertise and experience in providing coordinated, multidisciplinary care for patients with genetic mitochondrial disease. The network was created to help improve the quality of mitochondrial patient care and implement best practices and standards of care in mitochondrial medicine to help improve diagnosis, treatment and patient outcomes. 

The Mitochondrial Medicine Society (MMS) represents an international group of physicians, researchers and clinicians working towards advancing education, research and global collaboration in clinical mitochondrial medicine. Akron Children's and the Mitochondrial Medicine Society are key collaborative partners. Dr. Bruce Cohen recently served as president and he is currently an editor of the medical society's Mitochondrial and Metabolic Medicine (M3) journal.

Conditions and Treatments:

Mitochondrial, Autosomal dominant optic atrophy, Alpers Disease, Barth Syndrome, beta-oxidation defects, carnitine-acyl-carnitine deficiency, carnitine deficiency, complex I deficiency, complex II deficiency, complex III deficiency, complex IV deficiency/COX deficiency, complex V deficiency, CPT I deficiency, creatine deficiency syndromes, co-enzyme Q10 deficiency, CPEO, CPTII deficiency, KSS, lactic acidosis, LBSL – leukodystrophy, LCA deficiency, LCHA deficiency, Leigh Disease or Syndrome, Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, Luft Disease, MAD/glutaric aciduria type II, MCAD, MERRF, MELAS, MEPAN, MIRAS, mitochondrial DNA depletion, mitochondrial encephalopathy, MNGIE, NARP, Pearson Syndrome, POLG mutations, pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, PDC deficiency, SANDO, SCAD, SCHAD, TK2/myopathic form, VLCAD

Make a donation to support the Mitochondrial Center at Akron Children’s.

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