Myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG, Latin: "grave muscle weakness") is a neuromuscular disease leading to fluctuating weakness and fatiguability. It is one of the best known autoimmune disorders and the antigens and disease mechanisms have well been identified. Weakness is caused by circulating antibodies that block acetylcholine receptors at the post-synaptic neuromuscular junction, inhibiting the stimulative effect of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Myasthenia is treated with immunosuppression and cholinesterase inhibitors.

References

• Original version based on a US government factsheet
• {{OMIM|254200}}
• Scherer K, Bedlack RS, Simel DL. Does this patient have myasthenia gravis? JAMA 2005;293:1906-14. PMID 15840866.