NUR4581: Myasthenia Gravis & Guillain-Barré

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to Myasthenia Gravis and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Myasthenia Gravis

An autoimmune disease characterized by fluctuating weakness of certain skeletal muscle groups due to impaired transmission of impulses at the myoneural junction.

Acetylcholine

A chemical neurotransmitter that stimulates muscle contraction by binding to receptors at the motor endplate.

Cholinesterase inhibitor

A class of drugs, such as Edrophonium, that block the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, increasing the availability of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction.

Myasthenic crisis

A worsening of myasthenia gravis symptoms characterized by severe muscle weakness that may lead to respiratory failure.

Guillain-Barré syndrome

An autoimmune disorder characterized by acute, rapid segmental demyelination of peripheral nerves, often following a viral infection.

Dysphagia

Difficulty in swallowing, which can occur in patients with myasthenia gravis due to bulbar weakness.

Pyridostigmine bromide

An anticholinesterase medication used as the first line of treatment for myasthenia gravis to improve muscle strength.

Therapeutic plasma exchange

A procedure that removes plasma containing circulating antibodies, used to treat exacerbations of myasthenia gravis and Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Ascendancy of weakness

The characteristic pattern of weakness in Guillain-Barré syndrome, where symptoms start in the lower extremities and progress upwards.

Immunosuppressive therapy

Treatment aimed at reducing the production of antibodies in autoimmune conditions such as myasthenia gravis, typically using corticosteroids.

Neuromuscular respiratory failure

A critical complication in both myasthenic and cholinergic crises, where weak respiratory muscles result in compromised breathing.

Residual symptoms

Permanent symptoms that remain after the recovery phase of Guillain-Barré syndrome, which may include weakness or sensory changes.

Antibody-mediated attack

The mechanism by which the immune system targets the body's own nerve myelin in conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome.