Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle01:28

Disorders of the Skeletal Muscle

991
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...
991
Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests01:15

Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests

990
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...
990
Chemical Synapses01:26

Chemical Synapses

8.9K
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...
8.9K
Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade01:29

Neuromuscular Junction And Blockade

3.1K
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...
3.1K
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment01:20

Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment

1.6K
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which...
1.6K
The Neuromuscular Junction01:19

The Neuromuscular Junction

9.9K
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...
9.9K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Association of antiseizure medication with lower amyloid and tau burden.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026
Same author

Proteomic analysis reveals divergent inflammatory mechanisms of COVID-associated Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Journal of molecular medicine (Berlin, Germany)·2026
Same author

Global Socioeconomic Context and Brain Ageing in Epilepsy: an ENIGMA-Epilepsy study.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026
Same author

Sex-related structural alterations across common epilepsies: a worldwide ENIGMA study.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Sodium channel blockers are associated with reduced dementia risk in late-onset unexplained epilepsy.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2026
Same author

Continuous Versus Short EEG After Ischemic Stroke: What cEEG Adds for Detecting Abnormalities and Predicting Post-Stroke Epilepsy.

Annals of neurology·2026
Same journal

Praxis·2026
Same journal

[What do Swiss doctors think about cardiovascular risk factors and guidelines?]

Praxis·2026
Same journal

[Laser interstitial thermotherapy (LITT): a minimally invasive neurosurgical treatment option for brain tumours and radiation necrosis].

Praxis·2026
Same journal

[Persistent back pain after lifting trauma. From the trivial to the rare case].

Praxis·2026
Same journal

[A patient with dizziness and gait instability - a diagnostic challenge].

Praxis·2026
Same journal

[Meningoencephalitis caused by listeria monocytogenes].

Praxis·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients
09:44

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients

Published on: April 12, 2011

81.3K

[Neuromuscular Practical Knowledge: Focus On Muscle Weakness].

Kai Michael Schubert1, Bettina Schreiner1

  • 1Klinik für Neurologie, Universitätsspital Zürich.

Praxis
|August 26, 2023
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Muscle weakness diagnosis involves differentiating true weakness from fatigue. Identifying causes like genetic, inflammatory, or metabolic factors aids successful treatment through advanced therapies.

Keywords:
Muscle weaknessfatiguemyopathyparesis

More Related Videos

The Muscle Cuff Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface for the Amplification of Intact Peripheral Nerve Signals
07:30

The Muscle Cuff Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface for the Amplification of Intact Peripheral Nerve Signals

Published on: January 13, 2022

2.1K
Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
08:16

Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Published on: March 4, 2014

31.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients
09:44

Manual Muscle Testing: A Method of Measuring Extremity Muscle Strength Applied to Critically Ill Patients

Published on: April 12, 2011

81.3K
The Muscle Cuff Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface for the Amplification of Intact Peripheral Nerve Signals
07:30

The Muscle Cuff Regenerative Peripheral Nerve Interface for the Amplification of Intact Peripheral Nerve Signals

Published on: January 13, 2022

2.1K
Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
08:16

Utility of Dissociated Intrinsic Hand Muscle Atrophy in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Published on: March 4, 2014

31.9K

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Genetics
  • Immunology

Context:

  • Muscle weakness is a frequent complaint in general practice, necessitating a structured diagnostic approach.
  • Distinguishing true muscle weakness from fatigue is the critical first step.
  • Patient history, symptoms, and comorbidities guide the initial classification of weakness.

Purpose:

  • To outline the diagnostic pathway for muscle weakness.
  • To categorize potential causes of muscle weakness, including genetic, inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic, toxic, and metabolic/endocrine origins.
  • To highlight the role of investigations like laboratory tests, electrodiagnostic studies, imaging, and genetic testing in refining diagnoses.

Summary:

  • The diagnostic work-up for muscle weakness involves evaluating its localization, time course, severity, and associated symptoms.
  • Key categories of muscle weakness causes include genetic, inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic, toxic, and metabolic/endocrine.
  • Advanced investigations such as genetic testing and MRI are crucial for differential diagnosis.

Impact:

  • Recent advancements in genetics and targeted immunomodulatory therapies have expanded treatment options for various muscle weakness conditions.
  • Accurate diagnosis facilitates successful and targeted treatment strategies.
  • Improved understanding of muscle weakness etiology leads to better patient outcomes.