Myasthenia Gravis

• Receptors to acetylcholine (Ach), a major excitatory neurotransmitter (brain signalling molecule), are decreased and therefore many muscle functions are impaired
• autoimmune disorder; where a natural antibody of the human immune system, IgG, abnormally binds to acetylcholine receptors (AchR)thus preventing acetylcholine from binding and propelling between neurons (brain cells)
• The age of onset is typically 20-30 for women, and over 50 in men

Symptoms:

• skeletal muscle weakness;
• initially, facial and ocular muscles,
• later, arm and trunk muscles

Treatment:

• Cholinesterase Inhibitors (to make more acetylcholine available to the neurons)