Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis is believed to have been discovered as early as 1672 when Thomas Willis, wrote in his book De Anima Brutorum, that "a woman who temporarily lost her power of speech and became 'mute as a fish.'".(Abboud, 1996). Another early description of this disease is documented in colonial correspondence with England. "The excessive fatigues he encountered wrecked his constitution; his flesh became macerated; his sinews lost their tone a warrior chief. He had an elasticity and his eyelids were too heavy that he could not see unless they were lifted up by his attendants. Further, we are told that he was unable to walk; but his spirit rising above the ruins of his body, directed them from litter on which he was carried by his Indians, the onset and retreat of his warriors." While in captivity in Jamestown he was able to rest. After this inactivity he was able to raise himself from the ground to the standing position. Perhaps this warrior in his later years had developed MG(Abboud, 1996). Both of these early descriptions describe a lack of voluntary muscles resolving in great fatigue and weakness. These are definitely signs of myasthenia gravis. So even as far back as the late 1600's people were beginning to see some effects of myasthenia gravis and actually began to learn a little about it.

Description

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a disease in which muscles are quickly fatigued with repetitive use. "Myasthenia gravis is characterized by decremental neuronal response with repetitive nerve stimulation, and evidences itself in a few characteristic, physical ways."(Addoub,1996). A person with Myasthenia Gravis has a flattened smile and droopy eyes, and slow pupil light responses. The person may h...

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...thymus may eliminate a source of continued antigenic stimulation. If the thymic myoid cells are the source of autoantigen then their removal might allow the immune response to subside. Second, thymectomy may remove a reservoir of B cells that are secreting acetylcholine-receptor antibody. Third, thymectomy may is some way correct a disturbance of immune regulation in myasthenia gravis"(Howard).

Bibliography:

Works Cited

1. Accordant Health Services, 1998

http://www.accordant.com/mg.html

2 Abboud, Lena 1996

http://www.macalester.edu/~psych/whathap/UBNRP/Gravis/real_mg_directory.html#menu

3. Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1994, 1995 Compton's NewMedia,

4. Howard, Jr., James F.., M.D, Myasthenia Gravis -Department of Neurology, The

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill