Neuromuscular medicine is a subspecialty of neurology and physiatry that focuses the diagnosis and management of neuromuscular diseases. The field encompasses issues related to both diagnosis and management of these conditions, including rehabilitation interventions to optimize the quality of life of individuals with these conditions.[1] This field encompasses disorders that impact both adults and children and which can be inherited or acquired, typically from an autoimmune disease.[2] A neurologist or physiatrist can diagnose these diseases through a clinical history, examination, and electromyography including nerve conduction studies.  Many recent drug therapies have been developed to address the acquired neuromuscular diseases including but not limited to immune suppression and drugs that increase the neurotransmitters at the neuromuscular junction.[3][4]  Gene modifying therapies are also a recent treatment branch of neuromuscular medicine with advancements made in disorders such as spinal muscular atrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.[5]  

See also

References

  1. ^ McDonald CM, Fowler WM (August 2012). "The role of the neuromuscular medicine and physiatry specialists in the multidisciplinary management of neuromuscular disease". Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America. 23 (3): 475–493. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2012.06.010. PMC 3482408. PMID 22938874.
  2. ^ Morrison BM (October 2016). "Neuromuscular Diseases". Seminars in Neurology. 36 (5): 409–418. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1586263. PMID 27704495. S2CID 13937705.
  3. ^ Thornton CA, Griggs RC (March 1994). "Plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment of neuromuscular disease". Annals of Neurology. 35 (3): 260–268. doi:10.1002/ana.410350304. PMID 8122878. S2CID 42256684.
  4. ^ Gilhus NE, Verschuuren JJ (October 2015). "Myasthenia gravis: subgroup classification and therapeutic strategies". The Lancet. Neurology. 14 (10): 1023–1036. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(15)00145-3. PMID 26376969. S2CID 19615369.
  5. ^ Mendell JR, Al-Zaidy SA, Rodino-Klapac LR, Goodspeed K, Gray SJ, Kay CN, et al. (February 2021). "Current Clinical Applications of In Vivo Gene Therapy with AAVs". Molecular Therapy. 29 (2): 464–488. doi:10.1016/j.ymthe.2020.12.007. PMC 7854298. PMID 33309881.
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