What neurotransmitter is involved in myasthenia gravis?
Question
What neurotransmitter is involved in myasthenia gravis?
Solution
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that affects the communication between nerves and muscles. The neurotransmitter involved in this disease is acetylcholine.
Here are the steps explaining how it is involved:
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In a healthy body, when a nerve impulse is sent, the nerve endings release a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine.
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Acetylcholine travels across the small gap between the nerve ending and the muscle cell (this gap is called the synaptic cleft).
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It then binds to acetylcholine receptors on the muscle cell, triggering a response that leads to muscle contraction.
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In myasthenia gravis, the immune system produces antibodies that block or destroy these acetylcholine receptors.
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This reduces the number of receptor sites available for acetylcholine to bind to, impairing the communication between nerves and muscles.
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As a result, muscles do not contract properly, leading to the muscle weakness and fatigue characteristic of myasthenia gravis.
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