Myasthenia Gravis (MG) is the most common primary disorder of neuromuscular transmission. It is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of weakness of the skeletal (voluntary) muscles of the body. About 10% of MG patients develop a life threatening weakness of the respiratory muscles needed for breathing, a condition called myasthenic crisis. MG occurs in all races, both genders, and at all ages.

Existing therapies for MG include cholinesterase inhibitors, immunosuppressants and corticosteroids, plasma exchange and intravenous immune globulin and surgical treatment (thymectomy). Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to treat the symptoms of MG but are often accompanied by side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, hypersalivation, bronchorrhea, headache and involuntary muscle twitching.

According to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, the prevalence of MG is estimated at 14 to 20 per 100,000 population, with up to 60,000 cases in the United States.



Useful Links
The following list contains links to web sites that may be of value or interest. Although these sites have been selected by Amarin they are not operated by Amarin and thus Amarin cannot be responsible for their content. Please refer to individual site publishers for additional information.

The Myasthenia Gravis Foundation
www.myasthenia.org