Given that the A53T-SNCA overexpression in the DM mice is known to exert mitochondrial toxicity but that dysfunctional mitochondria cannot be eliminated through selective mitophagy in the DM mice due to the absence of PINK1, one would expect dysfunctional mitochondria to accumulate in neurons in a similar manner as they accumulate as ragged red fibers in muscles of MERRF patients. This evidence concerns the gene PINK1 and MERRF.