According to a story from news-medical.net, a team of researchers associated with the University of Alberta made a significant discovery when the identified a never before recognized biomarker for myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness. Biomarkers are very valuable disease indicators that can help physicians in a number of ways, such as diagnosis, determining the best course of treatment, and predicting disease severity and progression. The research was first published in the scientific journal Metabolomics.
About Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a long term autoimmune disease that is most characterized by weakness of the skeletal muscles which can affect a patient’s ability to move and breathe. An an autoimmune disease, myasthenia gravis is ultimately the result of abnormal immune system behavior in which the system attacks normal body tissue. In this disease, the immune system produces antibodies that inhibit regular neuromuscular function. Symptoms of the illness include muscle weakness that worsens after activity and gets better after resting. This weakness may affect the face, eyes, neck, breathing, and limbs. It may cause speech and swallowing difficulties, eyelid drooping, shortness of breath, and blurred vision. In severe cases, patients may require breathing assistance with a ventilator. Treatment options for myasthenia gravis include immunosuppressive medications, thyroid gland removal, IVIG, and plasmapharesis. Most patients can effectively manage the condition with treatment. To learn more about myasthenia gravis, click here.
About The Research
The biomarker was identified by analyzing the blood serum (blood with all cells removed) and comparing the composition of a myasthenia gravis patient to that of a healthy person. The patient displayed a unique pattern of twelve distinct metabolites (such as antioxidants, vitamins, and so on) that were not present in the serum of both healthy controls and patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Currently, there is little to no personalization of treatment for myasthenia gravis, so most patients receive a similar course of therapy; this discovery could allow for a greater understanding of a patient’s specific circumstances that will help pave the way for more individualized treatment approaches.
Check out the original study here.
