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Copyright 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008
NORD is very grateful to Henry J. Kaminski, MD, Professor of Neurology, Chairman Department of Neurology & Psychiatry at Saint Louis University, for assistance in the preparation of this report.
Synonyms of Myasthenia Gravis
- Erb-Goldflam syndrome
- MG
- Myasthenia Gravis Pseudoparalytica
Disorder Subdivisions
- Congenital Myasthenia Gravis
- Familial Infantile (Congenital) Myasthenia Gravis
- Generalized myasthenia gravis
- Ocular myasthenia gravis
- Transient Neonatal Myasthenia Gravis
General Discussion
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular disorder primarily characterized by muscle weakness and muscle fatigue. Although the disorder usually becomes apparent during adulthood, symptom onset may occur at any age. The condition may be restricted to certain muscle groups, particularly those of the eyes (ocular myasthenia gravis), or may become more generalized (generalized myasthenia gravis), involving multiple muscle groups.
Most individuals with myasthenia gravis develop weakness and drooping of the eyelids (ptosis); weakness of eye muscles, resulting in double vision (diplopia); and excessive muscle fatigue following activity. Additional features commonly include weakness of facial muscles; impaired articulation of speech (dysarthria); difficulties chewing and swallowing (dysphagia); and weakness of the upper arms and legs (proximal limb weakness). In addition, in about 10 percent of cases, affected individuals may develop potentially life-threatening complications due to severe involvement of muscles used during breathing (myasthenic crisis).
Myasthenia gravis results from an abnormal immune reaction in which the body's natural immune defenses (i.e., antibodies) inappropriately attack and gradually destroy certain receptors in muscles that receive nerve impulses (antibody-mediated autoimmune response).
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Organizations related to Myasthenia Gravis
- American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, Inc.
22100 Gratiot Avenue
Eastpointe MI 48021
Phone #: 586-776-3900
800 #: 800-598-4668
e-mail: aarda@aarda.org
Home page: http://www.aarda.org/
- AutoImmunity Community
None
None None None
Phone #: (91-9) -552-9057
800 #: N/A
e-mail: moderator@autoimmunitycommunity.org
Home page: http://www.autoimmunitycommunity.org
- Autoimmune Information Network, Inc
PO Box 4121
Brick NJ 08723
Phone #: 732-664-9259
800 #: N/A
e-mail: autoimmunehelp@aol.com
Home page: http://www.aininc.org
- European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID)
c/o Dr. Bodo Grimbacher (ESID Board Member)
Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
Department of Medicine, University Hospital Freiburg
Hugstetter Strasse 55
Freiburg None D-79106
Phone #: +31- 73--6992965
800 #: N/A
e-mail: info@esid.org
Home page: http://www.esid.org
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
- MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: mums@netnet.net
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
- Muscular Dystrophy Association
3300 E. Sunrise Dr
Tucson AZ 85718
Phone #: 520-529-2000
800 #: 800-572-1717
e-mail: mda@mdausa.org
Home page: http://www.mda.org/
- Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
355 Lexington Avenue, 15th Floor
New York NY 10017
Phone #: 212-297-2156
800 #: 800-541-5454
e-mail: mgfa@myasthenia.org
Home page: http://www.myasthenia.org
- Myasthenia Gravis Links
Web Site on the Internet
None None None
Phone #: --
800 #: --
e-mail: stanley.way@prodigy.net
Home page: http://pages.prodigy.net/stanley.way/myasthenia/
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda MD 20824
Phone #: 301-496-5751
800 #: 800-352-9424
e-mail: me20t@nih.gov
Home page: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
- New Horizons Un-Limited, Inc.
811 East Wisconsin Ave
Suite 937
Milwaukee WI 53202
Phone #: 414-299-0124
800 #: N/A
e-mail: horizons@new-horizons.org
Home page: http://www.new-horizons.org
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