Myasthenia Gravis (MG)
What is myasthenia gravis?
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare, chronic, autoimmune, neuromuscular condition where the body's immune system mistakenly targets the connection between the nerves and the muscles.
This means for people living with MG, voluntary muscles don't respond well to the signals sent from the brain. MG can be characterized by drooping eyelids, extreme muscle weakness and fatigue.
Who is affected?
MG is a rare disease, with a prevalence in Canada estimated to be 32 cases per 100,000 people.
What are the symptoms of MG?
The symptoms of MG are unpredictable and can fluctuate over days or even hours. They can also vary greatly, so individuals experience it in a very personal way which can cause profound uncertainty.
Symptoms of MG may include:
- Muscle weakness that worsens with activity and improves with rest
- Weakness in the arms, hands, fingers, legs and neck
- Drooping eyelids
- Blurred or double vision
- Difficulty making facial expressions, such as smiling
- Trouble chewing and swallowing
- Shortness of breath
- Slurred speech
While there are a number of treatments available to MG patients, many of these only offer symptomatic relief or are broad-acting, and some people living with MG do not respond well to them. As a result, there is an urgent need to bring more targeted, well-tolerated treatment options that address the underlying mechanism of MG to physicians and patients.