NINDS Myasthenia Gravis Information Page: NINDS
Article title: NINDS Myasthenia Gravis Information Page: NINDS
Main condition: Myasthenia Gravis
Conditions: Myasthenia Gravis
What is Myasthenia Gravis?
Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Muscles that control eye and eyelid movements, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing are often, but not always, involved. The muscles that that control breathing and neck and limb movements may also be affected. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. Normally when impulses travel down the nerve, the nerve endings release a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine. In myasthenia gravis, antibodies produced by the body's own immune system block, alter, or destroy the receptors for acetylcholine. The first noticeable symptoms of myasthenia gravis may be weakness of the eye muscles, difficulty in swallowing, or slurred speech. Symptoms vary in type and severity. Myasthenia gravis is not directly inherited nor is it contagious. The first steps in diagnosing myasthenia gravis include a review of the individual's medical history and physical and neurological examinations. If the doctor suspects myasthenia gravis, several diagnostic tests are available to confirm the diagnosis, including a special blood test that can detect the presence of immune molecules or acetylcholine receptor antibodies.
Is there any
treatment?
Myasthenia gravis can be controlled. Some medications
improve neuromuscular transmission and increase muscle strength, and some
suppress the production of abnormal antibodies. These medications must be
used with careful medical followup because they may cause major side
effects. Thymectomy, the surgical removal of the thymus gland, improves
symptoms in certain patients and may cure some individuals. Other
therapies include plasmapheresis, a procedure in which abnormal antibodies
are removed from the blood, and high-dose intravenous immune globulin,
which temporarily modifies the immune system and provides the body with
normal antibodies from donated blood .
What is the prognosis?
With
treatment, the outlook for most patients with myasthenia is bright: they
can expect to lead normal or nearly normal lives. Some case of myasthenia
gravis may go into remission temporarily, and muscle weakness may
disappear so that medications can be discontinued. In a few cases, the
severe weakness of myasthenia gravis may cause respiratory failure, which
requires immediate emergency medical care.
What research is being
done?
Scientists are evaluating new and improving current
treatments for myasthenia gravis.
One study is testing the efficacy of
intravenous immune globulin, and another study seeks to understand the
molecular basis of synaptic transmission in the nervous system.
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc.
5841 Cedar Lake
Road
Suite 204
Minneapolis, MN 55416
myasthenia@myasthenia.org
http://www.myasthenia.org/
Tel:
952-545-9438 800-541-5454
Fax: 952-646-2028
Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 East Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ 85718-3208
mda@mdausa.org
http://www.mdausa.org/
Tel:
520-529-2000 800-572-1717
Fax: 520-529-5300
Related NINDS Publications and Information
Myasthenia Gravis
fact sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders
and Stroke (NINDS).
This fact sheet is in the public domain. You may copy it.Provided
by:
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD
20892
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