Myasthenia gravis (MG) can develop in people with polycythemia vera (PV), a type of blood cancer, even in the absence of thymomas — tumors of the thymus — a study reporting two cases suggests. The study, “Association of polycythemia vera with positive JAK2V617F mutation and myasthenia gravis: A…
Immune B-cells originating in the thymus continue to circulate in the blood after thymectomy, causing a diminished clinical response to treatment in people with myasthenia gravis (MG), a study has found. In a commentary…
After unanimous votes by the boards of directors of both companies, AstraZeneca has announced it will acquire Alexion Pharmaceuticals. If the acquisition gets all needed regulatory clearances, as well as approvals by the shareholders of both companies, the deal is expected to be finalized in the third quarter…
People with myasthenia gravis (MG) felt high anxiety regarding COVID-19, experienced changes in their interactions with healthcare systems, and generally trust information coming from non-presidential federal government sources and local healthcare providers, according to a survey. The results indicate that targeted messaging strategies by trusted sources may help…
A case report describes how the so-called ice pack test helped diagnose ocular myasthenia gravis (MG) in a patient who showed no abnormalities in other assessments. The study, “Ice pack test in myasthenia gravis: a cool investigation at the bedside,” was published in the journal The…
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is encouraging the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to recommend that people living with neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) have early access to any federally approved COVID-19 vaccine. The MDA made its request in a letter to members of the CDC…
A panel of 16 international experts has updated and expanded the recommendations for best management of myasthenia gravis (MG), based on the latest evidence in literature. “Some wealthy countries have established their own guidelines, but most of the world cannot do that,” Gil I. Wolfe, MD, chair of the…
To empower and equip members of the rare disease community to engage state leaders in matters of importance to patients and their families, the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has launched an initiative across the U.S. Its goal is to establish a Rare Disease Advisory Council (RDAC)…
In people with myasthenia gravis (MG), slow or slurred speech, called dysarthria, is associated with changes in three motor bases of speech — breathing, phonation, and articulation — according to a small study from Brazil. These findings support dysarthria as a common symptom of MG and highlight the importance…
The first wave of COVID-19 in Europe severely disrupted access to care and raised stress and anxiety in people with rare diseases, negatively affecting their health and well-being, according to a survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. “People living with rare diseases in Europe have found themselves caught as collateral…
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