Immunology of Neuromuscular Disease


Book Description

The neuromuscular diseases comprise the disorders of peripheral nerves, the neuromuscular junction, and muscle. Both pre and post-synaptic elements of the neuromuscular junction may become targets of autoimmune attack in different diseases. This book addresses the immunologically mediated neuromuscular diseases, including Guillain--Barré syndrome and other autoimmune neuropathies, the Lambert--Eaton myasthenic syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and the autoimmune diseases of muscle. Two chapters are devoted to the vasculitic and HIV-mediated neuromuscular diseases. The experimental models of neuritis and myasthenia gravis are addressed in separate chapters. An introductory chapter provides a general background to autoimmunity. This book is a useful overview for all neurologists, rheumatologists and immunologists both in research and clinical practice.







Immune-mediated Neuromuscular Diseases


Book Description

Neuromuscular medicine is constantly advancing in terms of accurate diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment. Many disorders that have been discovered within this field are either autoimmune or genetic. This publication provides the latest updates of the more common and treatable autoimmune neuromuscular diseases affecting the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction and muscles. The authors, renowned experts in the field, offer clinical presentations as well as the best diagnostic and treatment approach to the readers. The chapters are dealing with acute and chronic neuropathies, nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy, dysimmune neuropathy and autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy. Further, disorders such as myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, idiopathic inflammatory myopathies and stiff person syndrome are discussed.Providing an excellent source of up-to-date information, this publication is highly recommended not only to neurologists, but also to internists, rheumatologists, allergists and immunologists.




Neuromuscular Diseases


Book Description

This book reviews the electrophysiological, genetic and immunological bases of some of the major neuromuscular diseases and evaluates their importance pertaining to the clinical management of the patients. Included are up-to-date topics such as gene therapy, myoblast transfer and new drug trials. Written by experts in their own fields, this volume will not only be of great value to neurologists and neuroscientists, but also to geneticists, immunologists and physiologists.




Acquired Neuromuscular Disorders


Book Description

This book provides a state-of-the-art overview of the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of a range of inflammatory, autoimmune, and idiopathic disorders. The opening section covers clinical tools with a particular focus on the role of electromyography and MRI imaging. The second section then presents the differential diagnosis of acquired myopathies based on clinical, electrophysiological, muscle biopsy, and serological criteria, discussing in detail relevant clinical conditions such as including myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, and statin myopathies. The third section examines acute and chronic immune-mediated neuropathies, multifocal motor neuropathies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, paraneoplastic diseases, and diabetic polyneuropathy, offering clear guidance on available treatments and descriptions of the latest advances in immunotheraphy, drug therapy, and physiotherapy. This clinically oriented book also includes numerous illustrative figures and contributions by international authors from leading centers.




Muscle Gene Therapy


Book Description

About 7 million people worldwide are suffering from various inherited neuromuscular diseases. Gene therapy brings the hope of treating these diseases at their genetic roots. Muscle Gene Therapy is the only book dedicated to this topic. The first edition was published in 2010 when the field was just about to enter its prime time. The progress made since then has been unprecedented. The number of diseases that have been targeted by gene therapy has increased tremendously. The gene therapy toolbox is expanded greatly with many creative novel strategies (such as genome editing and therapy with disease-modifying genes). Most importantly, clinical benefits have begun to emerge in human patients. To reflect rapid advances in the field, we have compiled the second edition of Muscle Gene Therapy with contributions from experts that have conducted gene therapy studies either in animal models and/or in human patients. The new edition offers a much needed, up-to-date overview and perspective on the foundation and current status of neuromuscular disease gene therapy. It provides a framework to the development and regulatory approval of muscle gene therapy drugs in the upcoming years. This book is a must-have for anyone who is interested in neuromuscular disease gene therapy including those in the research arena (established investigators and trainees in the fields of clinical practice, veterinary medicine and basic biomedical sciences), funding and regulatory agencies, and patient community.




Neuromuscular Junction Disorders, An Issue of Neurologic Clinics, E-Book


Book Description

This issue of Neurologic Clinics, edited by Dr. Mazen M. Dimachkie and Dr. Richard J. Barohn, focuses on Neuromuscular Junction Disorders. Topics include--but are not limited to--History of myasthenia gravis and neuromuscular junction disorders; Practical immunology of the neuromuscular junction; Practical anatomy of the neuromuscular junction in health and disease; Generalized myasthenia gravis; Ocular myasthenia gravis; Diagnosis of myasthenia gravis; MuSK and myasthenia gravis due to other autoantibodies; Treatment of myasthenia gravis; Evidenced-based approach of thymectomy for myasthenia gravis; Myasthenia gravis and pregnancy; Congenital myasthenic syndromes; Botulism; Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome; and Measuring clinical treatment response in myasthenia gravis.




Myasthenia Gravis and Related Disorders


Book Description

The third edition of this important, gold-standard title outlines a range of significant advances in the study and understanding of myasthenia gravis. The overarching goal of this new edition is identical to the first and second -- to provide the clinician and the scientist with a common resource for understanding the profound achievements in the clinical, translational, and basic sciences of neuromuscular transmission disorders. In addition to several new authors and an extensive update of all chapters, this third edition includes summaries of pre-clinical research standards for autoimmune MG, along with a broad summary of MG clinical trial performance. The now greater understanding of the clinical presentation of MuSK-related MG and identification of potential new autoantigens, including LRP-4, is discussed. The development of treatment guidelines by groups in Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and an international consortium is also outlined. Myasthenia Gravis and Related Disorders, Third Edition, is an invaluable resource for meeting the many and varied needs of clinicians who treat patients with myasthenia gravis.




Neuroimmunology


Book Description

Neuroimmunology, the latest volume in the Contemporary Neurology Series, provides a practical, clinical, and scientific background on a diverse group of neurological disorders in this rapidly expanding field. The book includes chapters on multiple sclerosis and related disorders in adults and children, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, Guillain-Barre Syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and variants, immune-mediated disorders of the neuromuscular junction, inflammatory myopathies, paraneoplastic disorders and autoimmune encephalitities, and neurologic manifestations of systemic immune-mediated diseases. Unique to the work, the authors have included an introductory chapter on the basics of immunology and another on mechanisms of action of therapies used in neuroimmunologic disorders. The clinical chapters cover epidemiology, pathology, pathogenesis, and pathophysiology of the different diseases along with clinical presentation, diagnostic testing, differential diagnosis, and treatment. All are presented in an accessible, practical format, making this volume a valuable resource for physicians and other healthcare providers that will care for persons with neuroimmunologic diseases.




Autoimmune Neurology


Book Description

Autoimmune Neurology presents the latest information on autoimmune neurologic disease, the immune response to the body where organs run wild, causing the immune system to attack itself. Autoimmunity is a main element in numerous nervous system diseases and can target any structure within the central or peripheral nervous system. Over the past 20 years, significant advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of autoimmune disorders, including the use of biomarkers has led to new diagnosis and treatment options. Neurologic conditions associated with autoimmune reactions include dementia, neuromuscular disease, epilepsy, sleep disorders, diabetes, and other common neurologic disorders and disease. This current tutorial-reference will be a must-have title for clinical neurologists, research neurologists, neuroscientists, and any medical professional working with autoimmune disease and disorders. Includes comprehensive coverage of autoimmune neurology Details the latest techniques for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disorders, including dementia, neuromuscular disease, epilepsy, and sleep disorders Presents a focused reference for clinical practitioners and the clinical neurology and neurology research communities