Myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease which is characterised by muscle weakness and increased muscle fatiguibility. In this autoimmune disease antibodies are made against the neuromuscular junctional nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Binding of the antibodies to the receptors cause the formed complexes to taken in by endocytosis and this decreases the number of nicotinic receptors in the motor end plate. The first most typical symptom of the Myasthenia gravis is drooping of the eye lids.
Muscles responsible for speech, chewing and swallowing are also affected. If not treated, the patient may experience respiratory difficulties.
Myasthenia gravis is treated by immunosuppressant drugs and cholinesterase inhibitors.