Article
Article
Myasthenia gravis
Article By:
Sumi, S. Mark School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
Last reviewed:February 2022
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.441300
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- Myasthenia gravis, published June 2014:Download PDF
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An autoimmune disease resulting from an abnormality in neuromuscular transmission, characterized by a fluctuating degree of muscle weakness. Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder (see illustration) characterized by varying degrees of weakness and excessive fatiguability of voluntary muscle. The weakness is usually aggravated by activity, and there is partial or complete restoration of strength after a period of rest or the administration of anticholinesterase medications. See also: Autoimmunity; Muscle; Muscular system; Muscular system disorders; Nervous system (vertebrate); Nervous system disorders; Neurobiology; Synaptic transmission
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