Myasthenia GravisMyasthenia Gravis

Blaine SuingBlaine Suing

November 21November 21stst 2007 2007

HERE WE GO!

What is Myasthenia Gravis?What is Myasthenia Gravis?

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease neuromuscular disease

The name myasthenia gravis, which is Latin The name myasthenia gravis, which is Latin and Greek in origin, literally means "grave and Greek in origin, literally means "grave muscle weakness." muscle weakness."

Myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that Myasthenia gravis is muscle weakness that increases with activity and improves after increases with activity and improves after periods of rest.periods of rest.

Where does the disease take place?Where does the disease take place?

Myasthenia Gravis takes place a the Myasthenia Gravis takes place a the neuromuscular junction.neuromuscular junction.

The areas that are most affected.The areas that are most affected.

Myasthenia Gravis mainly effects the eye lids, Myasthenia Gravis mainly effects the eye lids, eyes, and facial movement (such as chewing or eyes, and facial movement (such as chewing or talking) which are all voluntary muscles.talking) which are all voluntary muscles.

It may also affect the muscles that control It may also affect the muscles that control breathing, neck and limb muscles. breathing, neck and limb muscles.

WARNING!WARNING!

NEXT SLIDE CONTAINS GRAPHIC NEXT SLIDE CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT. VIEWERS DISCRESSION CONTENT. VIEWERS DISCRESSION

IS ADVISED!IS ADVISED!

www.nanosweb.org/.../images/mythenia_1.jpg

Who does this affect?Who does this affect?

Both men and women can have the disease. Both men and women can have the disease. Men over the age of 60 and women under the Men over the age of 60 and women under the age of 40 are more likely to have it. But in can age of 40 are more likely to have it. But in can come at any age.come at any age.

Juvenile myasthenia gravis is not un common. Juvenile myasthenia gravis is not un common. Neonatal myasthenia gravis is temporary and Neonatal myasthenia gravis is temporary and

usually only last 2-3 months.usually only last 2-3 months.

Women are affected more then men at ratio Women are affected more then men at ratio 3/2.3/2.

In the united states for every 100,000 people, In the united states for every 100,000 people, there are 14 people with myasthenia gravis.there are 14 people with myasthenia gravis.

Treatment Treatment

The first attempt to treat MG was on June 2The first attempt to treat MG was on June 2ndnd of 1935.of 1935.

This was an injection of physostigmine.This was an injection of physostigmine. It was performed by Dr. Mary B. Walker. It was performed by Dr. Mary B. Walker.

Treatment Treatment (today’s)(today’s)

There are different forms of treatment in There are different forms of treatment in today's world.today's world. Oral pills Oral pills

prednisone, azathioprine, cyclosporine IV IV

Gammagard, Gammar-P, Sandoglobulin Gammagard, Gammar-P, Sandoglobulin SurgerySurgery

Thymectomy Thymectomy

Patient Out lookPatient Out look

Most patients with Mg can control it with Most patients with Mg can control it with medications or surgery.medications or surgery.

Only in severe cases is were the patient may Only in severe cases is were the patient may have repertory distress secondary to fever or have repertory distress secondary to fever or infection.infection.

New StudiesNew Studies

One such study is testing the use intravenous One such study is testing the use intravenous immune globlin.immune globlin.

Experts are studying the use of EN101 Experts are studying the use of EN101 antisenseantisense

Diagnosing Diagnosing

Weakness in a specific area.Weakness in a specific area. Decrease strength through out the day.Decrease strength through out the day. Rejuvenated with rest.Rejuvenated with rest.

Conflicting evidenceConflicting evidence

Is thymectomy really curing the disorder, or is Is thymectomy really curing the disorder, or is stopping the progression?stopping the progression?

CreditsCredits http://www.neurology.orghttp://www.neurology.org 14 Aug 2007 14 Aug 2007 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/myasthenia-gravishttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/myasthenia-gravis Jan 19 2007 Jan 19 2007

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke November 19, November 19,

20072007 National Institutes of HealthNational Institutes of Health November 19, 2007November 19, 2007 www.mgauk.orgwww.mgauk.org September 2005 September 2005