Myasthenia Gravis News and Research

RSS

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. The hallmark of myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases during periods of activity and improves after periods of rest. Muscles that control eye and eyelid movements, facial expression, chewing, talking, and swallowing are often, but not always, involved. The muscles that control breathing and neck and limb movements may also be affected. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a defect in the transmission of nerve impulses to muscles. Normally when impulses travel down the nerve, the nerve endings release a neurotransmitter substance called acetylcholine. In myasthenia gravis, antibodies produced by the body's own immune system block, alter, or destroy the receptors for acetylcholine. The first noticeable symptoms of myasthenia gravis may be weakness of the eye muscles, difficulty in swallowing, or slurred speech. Symptoms vary in type and severity. Myasthenia gravis is not directly inherited nor is it contagious.

New research shines light on mysterious dynamics that define the interplay between nerves and muscle

New research co-led by a University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine professor is shedding light on some of the mysterious dynamics that define the interplay between nerves and muscle.

17 Feb 2022

Model of neuromuscular junction could accelerate new treatments for neuromuscular diseases

The neuromuscular junction-;where nerves and muscle fibers meet-;is an essential synapse for muscle contraction and movement.

6 Jan 2022

Black patients with systemic sclerosis may experience poorer outcomes more often than others

New research presented this week at ACR Convergence, the American College of Rheumatology's annual meeting, shows that Black people living with systemic sclerosis may have more severe disease and worse prognosis than patients in other racial or ethnic groups, and these worrying disparities may be driven by several socioeconomic factors.

2 Nov 2021

Dying patients with rare diseases struggle to get experimental therapies

At 15, Autumn Fuernisen is dying. She was diagnosed at age 11 with a rare degenerative brain disorder that has no known cure or way to slow it down: juvenile-onset Huntington's disease.

14 Jul 2021

Study fills crucial knowledge gaps on myasthenia gravis

A study of 181 patients at 16 sites across the country who test negative for two antibodies long known to cause muscle-weakening myasthenia gravis, found that about 15% test positive for one of two newly discovered antibodies that also attack the point of communication between nerves and muscle.

19 Aug 2020

How COVID-19 affects the nervous system

A new paper published in the journal JAMA Neurology in May 2020 discusses the presentation and complications of COVID-19 with respect to the nervous system.

31 May 2020

Parenting your aging parents when they don’t want help

David Solie's 89-year-old mother, Carol, was unyielding. "No, I will not move," she told her son every time he suggested that she leave her home and relocate to a senior living residence.

19 Dec 2019

Influenza vaccine found to be safe for people with autoimmune neuromuscular disorders

A recent study published in Muscle & Nerve appears to show that the influenza vaccination is safe to use for those with autoimmune neuromuscular disorders.

20 Nov 2019

UM launches CAR-T clinical trial for patients with myasthenia gravis

Neuromuscular experts with the University of Miami Health System and the Miller School of Medicine will launch a Phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT04146051) using the CAR-T drug, Descartes-08, to treat patients with generalized myasthenia gravis.

5 Nov 2019

GW researchers to study the underlying pathophysiology of myasthenia gravis

The National Institutes of Health awarded a research team at the George Washington University $7.8 million to establish a rare disease network for myasthenia gravis. The network, which will be part of 25 established NIH Rare Diseases Clinical Research Networks, will include basic and clinical investigators, patient advocacy groups, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies working together to enhance therapeutic development for this rare disease.

4 Oct 2019

NIH grants boost rare diseases research efforts

Of an estimated 6,500 to 7,000 known rare diseases, only a fraction - maybe 5% - have U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments.

4 Oct 2019

Researchers discover unique biological marker for rare autoimmune disease

University of Alberta researchers have identified a unique biological marker that can be used to identify the presence of the rare autoimmune disease myasthenia gravis, predict the course of the disease and identify new, personalized treatments.

29 Aug 2019

FDA approves first drug for treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Soliris (eculizumab) injection for intravenous use for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in adult patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 antibody positive.

27 Jun 2019

Experts find previously unknown bacterial strain of the genus Leptospira

Experts from MedUni Vienna/Vienna General Hospital have identified a previously unknown bacterial strain of the genus Leptospira.

8 May 2019

Drug reduces risk of relapse with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, study shows

The drug eculizumab, a synthetic antibody that inhibits the inflammatory response, significantly reduced the risk of relapse with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

3 May 2019

FDA approves new drug for treatment of rare autoimmune disorder

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Firdapse (amifampridine) tablets for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in adults.

29 Nov 2018

Genentech’s combination therapy improves outcome in patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, today announced positive results from the Phase III IMpower130 study of Tecentriq (atezolizumab) plus chemotherapy (carboplatin and Abraxane® [albumin-bound paclitaxel; nab-paclitaxel]) for the initial (first-line) treatment of people with previously untreated metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

22 Oct 2018

Researchers discover how nerve cells control movement

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered a new way in which nerve cells can control movement. In a study on zebrafish published in the journal PNAS they show that the contact between neurons and muscles is more dynamic than previously thought.

3 Oct 2018

Alexion announces positive results from Phase 3 PREVENT study of Soliris in patients with NMOSD

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today announced positive topline results from the Phase 3 PREVENT study of Soliris in patients with anti-aquaporin-4 auto antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

24 Sep 2018

New project investigates impact of thymectomy as treatment for MuSK myasthenia gravis

The American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine is honoring Katherine Clifford, BA, with the 2018 Golseth Young Investigator Award for her abstract, Thymectomy is Not Associated With Clinical Improvement in a Multi-Center Cohort of Patients with Anti-MuSK Myasthenia Gravis.

3 Sep 2018