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Related Concept Videos

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

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The clinical conditions affecting the skeletal muscle tissue are broadly categorized as musculoskeletal and neuromuscular disorders.
Musculoskeletal disorders
Musculoskeletal disorders involve injuries and conditions affecting the skeletal muscles and associated connective tissues. These disorders can arise from acute biomechanical stresses or chronic overuse and can occur across different age groups. Common injuries include sprains, fractures, and muscular strains, often resulting from...
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The Neuromuscular Junction01:19

The Neuromuscular Junction

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The nervous system consists of complex motor neuron circuits, including upper motor neurons originating from the cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons starting in the spinal cord, coordinating both voluntary and involuntary movements. Among these, somatic motor neurons activate skeletal muscles and are classified into alpha, beta, and gamma types. Alpha neurons are vital for voluntary movement coordination, while gamma neurons adjust muscle spindle sensitivity, and the function of beta...
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Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade01:29

Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade

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The site of chemical communication between a motor neuron and a muscle fiber is called the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The end of the motor neuron at the NMJ divides into a cluster of synaptic end bulbs. The cytoplasm of these bulbs consists of synaptic vesicles enclosing acetylcholine molecules, the principal neurotransmitter released at the NMJ. The region opposite the synaptic bulb that ends in the muscle fiber is called the motor end plate, which has acetylcholine receptors. Within the...
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Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

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Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
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Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

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Chemical synapses are specialized sites between two neurons or between a neuron and a non-neuronal cell like a muscle, glandular or sensory cell.
Because chemical synapses depend on the release of neurotransmitter molecules from synaptic vesicles to pass on their signal, there is an approximately one millisecond delay between when the axon potential reaches the presynaptic terminal and when the neurotransmitter leads to opening of postsynaptic ion channels. Additionally, this signaling is...
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Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests01:15

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

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Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions
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Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions

Published on: August 14, 2021

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Neuromuscular junction disorders.

Jan Verschuuren1, Ellen Strijbos1, Angela Vincent2

  • 1Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Handbook of Clinical Neurology
|April 27, 2016
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Neuromuscular junction disorders involve autoimmune diseases like myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). Treatments are available, with ongoing research for better therapies.

Keywords:
AChRDELTA-P scoreLEMSMGMuSKacetylcholine receptor antibodiesautoimmunitycongenital myasthenia gravisdiagnosisfatiguabilitylambert-eaton myasthenic syndromemuscle weaknessmuscle-specific kinase antibodiesmyasthenia gravisneuromuscular junction disorderseronegative myasthenia gravistreatment

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Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality
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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Dissection of Single Skeletal Muscle Fibers for Immunofluorescent and Morphometric Analyses of Whole-Mount Neuromuscular Junctions
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Characterization of Neuromuscular Junctions in Mice by Combined Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy
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Measuring Neuromuscular Junction Functionality
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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Diseases of the neuromuscular junction disrupt nerve-muscle signaling.
  • Acquired autoimmune disorders are the most common type.
  • These conditions affect essential proteins controlling neurotransmission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe acquired autoimmune disorders of the neuromuscular junction.
  • To outline the mechanisms in myasthenia gravis and LEMS.
  • To discuss diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Main Methods:

  • Review of autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorders.
  • Description of antibody targets and their effects.
  • Clinical recognition, serologic testing, and electromyography.

Main Results:

  • Myasthenia gravis involves antibodies against acetylcholine receptors or muscle-specific kinase.
  • Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) features antibodies against presynaptic voltage-gated calcium channels.
  • Diagnosis is confirmed by serology and electromyography, with screening for associated cancers.

Conclusions:

  • Autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorders are clinically recognizable and diagnosable.
  • Effective symptomatic treatments, immunosuppressants, and immunomodulating therapies exist.
  • Future research aims to elucidate pathogenesis, identify new antigens, and develop targeted treatments.