Unravelling the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.

Journal article

Myasthenia gravis is a relatively rare neurological disease that is associated with loss of the acetylcholine receptors that initiate muscle contraction. This results in muscle weakness, which can be life-threatening. The story of how both the physiological basis of the disease and the role of acetylcholine-receptor-specific antibodies were determined is a classic example of the application of basic science to clinical medicine, and it has provided a model for defining other antibody-mediated disorders of the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Authors: Vincent, A

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Nature reviews. Immunology
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 797-804
• Publication date: 2002-10-01
• DOI: 10.1038/nri916
• EISSN: 1474-1741
• ISSN: 1474-1733
• Language: English
• Keywords: History, 20th Century; Receptors, Cholinergic; Synaptic Transmission; Autoantibodies; Humans; Immunity, Cellular; History, 19th Century; Autoimmunity; History, 17th Century; Neuromuscular Junction; Models, Immunological; Myasthenia Gravis