Treatment of myasthenia gravis

Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2011 Feb;11(1):89-96. doi: 10.1007/s11910-010-0151-1.

Abstract

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an antibody-mediated, neuromuscular transmission disorder, which ranges in clinical manifestations of ocular myasthenia that may be visually disabling to myasthenic crisis with patients suffering life-threatening respiratory insufficiency. MG also has pathophysiologic subgroups based on presence or absence of acetylcholine receptor or muscle-specific kinase antibodies and presence of thymoma. Cholinesterase inhibitors partially improve weakness, but the vast majority of patients require therapies that moderate the autoimmune attack. Mortality of MG has been reduced over the last century, but adverse effects of treatment compromise patient care and rigorous evidence to guide the clinician are lacking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Myasthenia Gravis / immunology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / pathology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / physiopathology
  • Myasthenia Gravis / therapy*

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Cholinesterase Inhibitors
  • Immunosuppressive Agents