title: Unravelling the pathogenesis of myasthenia gravis.
abstract: Myasthenia gravis is a relatively rare neurological disease that is associated with loss of the acetylcholine receptors that initiate muscle contraction. This results in muscle weakness, which can be life-threatening. The story of how both the physiological basis of the disease and the role of acetylcholine-receptor-specific antibodies were determined is a classic example of the application of basic science to clinical medicine, and it has provided a model for defining other antibody-mediated disorders of the peripheral and central nervous systems.
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000378:metabolism; D015551:Autoimmunity; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000266:history / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000503:physiopathology; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D009435:Synaptic Transmission
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic