research a muscle disease and report your findings. Share what the disease is an
ID: 3479944 • Letter: R
Question
research a muscle disease and report your findings. Share what the disease is and answer the following questions:
How does the disease present?
How is the disease diagnosed?
What are the treatments for this disease?
Is there a cure?
What are the long term effects of the disease?
If there are any clinical trials going on for your disease of choice, let the group know.
If you were suffering from the disease you chose to write about, would you sign up for a clinical trial knowing the possible side effects associated with the treatment?
Explanation / Answer
Myasthenia Gravis is a disease of neuromuscular junction characterized by extreme muscle weakness. It is an autoimmune disorder in which the body produces antibodies against motor end plate acetylcholine (Ach) receptor channels. Therefore, the Ach molecules produced cannot find functioning receptor channel to bind. This result in destruction of Ach by acetylcholinesterase (AchE) before their interaction with receptor channel and contribute to end plate potential (EPP).
The disease is diagnosed or detected by finding the antibodies against motor end plate acetylcholine (Ach) receptor channels or Anti–acetylcholine receptor antibody, nerve stimulation tests and electromyogram are other tests used in diagnosis.
The treatment is by administration of drug like neostigmine that inhibits AchE temporarily. The drug prolongs the action of Ach at neuromuscular junction and the resultant EPP produced is sufficient to initiate an action potential to cause subsequent contraction of muscle fiber as it normally would do.
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