Neuromuscular junction disease
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| Neuromuscular junction disease | |
| MeSH | D020511 |
|---|---|
Overview[edit | edit source]
Neuromuscular junction disease is a medical condition where the normal conduction through the neuromuscular junction fails to function correctly.
Autoimmune[edit | edit source]
In diseases such as myasthenia gravis, the EPP fails to effectively activate the muscle fiber due to an autoimmune reaction against acetylcholine receptors, resulting in muscle weakness and fatigue. [1]
Myasthenia gravis is caused most commonly by auto-antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor.
It has recently been realized that a second category of gravis is due to auto-antibodies against MuSK.
A different condition, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, is usually associated with presynaptic antibodies to the voltage-dependent calcium channel.
It is possible for these conditions to coexist.[2]
Toxins[edit | edit source]
Various toxins, such as botulinum toxin prevent the release of acetylcholine, resulting in muscle paralysis.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Hoch W, McConville J, Helms S, Newsom-Davis J, Melms A, Vincent A (2001). "Auto-antibodies to the receptor tyrosine kinase MuSK in patients with myasthenia gravis without acetylcholine receptor antibodies". Nat Med. 7 (3): 365–8. doi:10.1038/85520. PMID 11231638.
- ↑ Sha SJ, Layzer RB (2007). "Myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome in the same patient". Muscle Nerve. 36 (1): 115–7. doi:10.1002/mus.20735. PMID 17206662. Unknown parameter
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