Psychogenic Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder mediated by the production of antibodies targeting different epitopes of the postsynaptic part of the neuromuscular junction, leading to use-dependent muscular weakness.1 We report a case of functional neurological symptoms mimicking a r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe journal of neuropsychiatry and clinical neurosciences Vol. 23; no. 4; p. E1
Main Authors Frame, Francesca, Thompson, Sian A, Man. Malhotra, Tina, Edwards, Mark J, Rosenzweig, Ivana
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc 01.10.2011
Subjects
Adult
Female
Humans
Mood Disorders - drug therapy
Mood Disorders - etiology
Myasthenia Gravis - complications
Myasthenia Gravis - diagnosis
Myasthenia Gravis - psychology
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Summary:Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder mediated by the production of antibodies targeting different epitopes of the postsynaptic part of the neuromuscular junction, leading to use-dependent muscular weakness.1 We report a case of functional neurological symptoms mimicking a relapse of MG in a patient who had achieved clinical remission. Interestingly, the abnormal regulation of inhibitory interneuronal mechanisms, where cholinergic modulation is thought to play an important part, has been proposed as a potential pathophysiological mechanism behind certain psychogenic disorders.2 Hence, one can speculate that this, along with other overt psychological factors, may have led to increased susceptibility to conversion disorder in our patient.
ISSN:0895-0172
1545-7222
DOI:10.1176/jnp.23.4.jnpe1