Myasthenia gravis is presently an incurable antibody-mediated autoimmune disorder characterized by generalized voluntary skeletal muscle weakness. The cause of the weakness is a defect at the neuromuscular junction level, in which autoimmune antibodies block the receptors responsible for initiating muscular contraction. Literally translated from its Latin and Greek etymological roots, myasthenia gravis means "grave muscle weakness". Fortunately, advances in modern medicine have resulted in a reduction of the truly "grave" outcomes for those inflicted but, without a cure, the gravity surrounding the disease remains
- | Author: Joseph A. Pruitt
- | Publisher: Intechopen
- | Publication Date: Jan 20, 2012
- | Number of Pages: 118 pages
- | Binding: Hardback or Cased Book
- | ISBN-10: 9533078219
- | ISBN-13: 9789533078212
