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Neuromuscular junction disease
	Classification and external resources
MeSH	D020511

Neuromuscular junction disease is a medical condition where the normal conduction through the neuromuscular junction fails to function correctly.

[edit] Autoimmune

In diseases such as myasthenia gravis, the EPP fails to effectively activate the muscle fiber due to an autoimmune reaction against acetylcholine receptors, resulting in muscle weakness and fatigue. ^[1]

Myasthenia gravis is caused most commonly by auto-antibodies against the acetylcholine receptor.

It has recently been realized that a second category of gravis is due to auto-antibodies against MuSK.

A different condition, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, is usually associated with presynaptic antibodies to the voltage-dependent calcium channel.

It is possible for these conditions to coexist.^[2]

Various toxins, such as botulinum toxin prevent the release of acetylcholine, resulting in muscle paralysis.

^ Hoch W, McConville J, Helms S, Newsom-Davis J, Melms A, Vincent A (2001). "Auto-antibodies to the receptor tyrosine kinase MuSK in patients with myasthenia gravis without acetylcholine receptor antibodies". Nat Med 7 (3): 365–8. doi:10.1038/85520. PMID 11231638.
^ Sha SJ, Layzer RB (July 2007). "Myasthenia gravis and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome in the same patient". Muscle Nerve 36 (1): 115–7. doi:10.1002/mus.20735. PMID 17206662.

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