This Article  • References  • Full text PDF  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citation map  • Citing articles on HighWire  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Social Bookmarking   What's this?

A Review of Pathogenesis and Treatment

DAVID GROB, M.D.

Arch Intern Med. 1961;108(4):615-638.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic disease characterized by weakness and abnormal fatigability of skeletal muscle. The muscles innervated by the cranial nerves are particularly affected, and usually those of the neck, trunk, and extremities. In severe cases, weakness of the muscles of respiration occurs. Smooth and cardiac muscles are not involved. The disease usually becomes generalized, but in a minority of cases it remains localized to the extraocular muscles. The symptoms are commonly ameliorated, although to a variable degree, by anticholinesterase compounds. This response serves as the basis for diagnosis and management of the disease.

Mechanism of Neuromuscular Block in Myasthenia Gravis

Normal Neuromuscular Transmission

Resting muscle fibers normally have a potential difference of approximately 90 mv. between the two sides of the surface membrane, the inner surface being negative with respect to the outer. They are therefore said to be in a state of "polarization." When a nerve impulse . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
BROOKLYN

From the Department of Medicine, Maimonides Hospital and State University of New York College of Medicine, Brooklyn.

Footnotes
Submitted for publication June 16, 1961.

Aided by U.S.P.H.S. Grant B-3464 and Health Research Council of New York Grant U-1025.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati     What's this?