Morphologic and immunopathologic findings in myasthenia gravis and in congenital myasthenic syndromes.

Morphologic and immunopathologic findings in myasthenia gravis and in congenital myasthenic syndromes.

Overwhelming evidence now supports Simpson's concept, originally proposed in 1960, that acquired myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies are directed against the nicotine postsynaptic acetylcholine receptor (AChR).1 An autoimmune pathogenesis of acquired MG implies that those myasthenic syndromes which occur in a congenital and familial setting may have a different, ...

Congenital myasthenic syndromes and myasthenia gravis are challenging diagnoses in neurological practice.

Congenital myasthenic syndromes.

Congenital myasthenic syndromes are a rare group of heterogeneous disorders affecting neuromuscular transmission. Recent identification and in-vitro functional analysis of some of the genetic mutations that cause these disorders correlates with previous electrophysiological, biochemical, pathological and therapeutic studies, and has advanced our understanding of neuromuscular transmission.

Congenital myasthenia gravis.

Congenital myasthenia gravis is caused by genetic mutations affecting neuromuscular transmission, characterized by muscle weakness usually starting in childhood. A two and a half years old male child presented with bilateral ptosis and hoarseness of voice. The symptoms progressed giving the clinical impression of congenital myasthenia gravis. A series of tests were done including Ice Pack Test,...

Congenital myasthenic syndromes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Congenital myasthenic syndromes are a heterogeneous group of diseases caused by genetic defects affecting neuromuscular transmission. In this article, a strategy that leads to the diagnosis of congenital myasthenic syndromes is presented, and recent advances in the clinical, genetic and molecular aspects of congenital myasthenic syndrome are outlined. RECENT FINDINGS Besides...