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Outline
Define Myasthenia Gravis
A & P of Normal Neuromuscular Junction
(NMJ)
A & P of NMJ affected by Myasthenia
Gravis
Clinical Aspect (by Silvia)
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Myasthenia-gravis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
presynaptic membrane
synaptic cleft:
primary
postsynaptic
membrane
secondary
Schema of neuromuscular junction in myasthenia gravis (note: widened synaptic cleft, reduced number
of acetylcholine receptors, and simplification of postsynaptic membrane).
REVIEW:
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/sciences/anatomy-and-physiology/nervous-tissue/transmission-of-nerve-impulses
Axon terminal
Open Na+
Channel
Synaptic
cleft
Closed K+
Channel
Na
+
ACh
Na K
+
ACh
Na K
+
1 Local depolarization:
K+
+
+ ++++
Action potential
+++++
+
Open K+
Channel
Na
+
K+
3 Repolarization
Figure 9.9 Marieb
Miscellaneous
10%-20% of myasthenia gravis patients do
not have anti-AChR antibodies - they are
called seronegative.
however, these patients have antibodies that
bind to MuSK (muscle-specific protein
kinase).
MuSK is involved in anchoring and clustering
of AChRs at the postsynaptic membrane