José Lopes, PhD, managing science editor —

Treatment with immunosuppressive agents and Mestinon (pyridostigmine) protects against transition from ocular myesthenia gravis (MG) to a generalized form of the disease among patients with anti-acetylcholine receptor (AchR) antibodies, according to new research. Women, current or former smokers, and patients with thymus hyperplasia (enlargement) or…

Assessing altered eye movements with a technique called electrooculography (EOG) may become a non-invasive method for early diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG), according to new research. The study, “Analysis of Electrooculography Signals for the Detection of Myasthenia Gravis,” was published in the journal Clinical Neurophysiology.

Analyzing microbial and metabolic changes in fecal samples may provide a highly reliable way to diagnose myasthenia gravis (MG) and monitor its severity, according to a new study in patients and mice. The research, “Perturbed Microbial Ecology in Myasthenia Gravis: Evidence from the Gut Microbiome and…

Treatment with synthetic RNA molecules targeting the C5 complement system protein in the liver may be effective in people with myasthenia gravis (MG), according to a new study in rats, mice and monkeys. The findings also indicate that marked benefits may be achieved without frequent dosage. The study, “…

Treatment with subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) — a new formulation given as an under-the-skin injection — enabled people with myasthenia gravis (MG) to maintain stable disease activity while transitioning from intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), according to a study in the U.S. and Canada. The findings of the study, “…

A recent report described a rare case of a woman presenting with a sudden decrease in voice volume who was ultimately diagnosed and successfully treated for myasthenia gravis (MG). The case study, “Hypophonia as only presenting symptom in myasthenia gravis — a diagnostic dilemma in poor…

Soliris (eculizumab) may be the most effective and well-tolerated immunotherapy for patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), according to an analysis of multiple studies. The research, “Immunosuppressive and monoclonal antibody treatment for myasthenia gravis: A network meta‐analysis,” was published in the journal CNS Neuroscience…

A vast majority of patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) responded to treatment with plasma exchange and half experienced symptom relief, according to a study. The findings also showed that men and patients with late-onset MG were more likely to have successful response to the treatment. The study, “…

Treatment with Soliris (eculizumab) provided adults with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) clinically meaningful improvements through three years in daily living, muscle strength, functional ability and quality of life, according to early data from an extension study. Lower rates of MG exacerbations and hospitalizations were also observed. The…

Treatment of juvenile myasthenia gravis (JMG) lessens the severity of symptoms in most patients, leading to stable remission without significant amounts of medication, according to a study of Polish patients. The study, “Treatment outcome in Juvenile-onset Myasthenia Gravis,” appeared in the journal Muscle & Nerve.