Neuropsychiatric symptoms in thymoma-associated and non-thymoma myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an acetylcholine receptor antibody- mediated disease targeting the neuromuscular junction resulting in fatigable muscle weakness. A number of reports have suggested a high prevalence of psychiatric symptoms amongst MG patients. Approximately 10% of MG subjects are found to have an associated thymoma and despite thymomectomy, the MG persists. The presence of thymoma may lead to other antibody-mediated neuropsychiatric manifestations including limbic encephalitis. We hypothesized that the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms may be higher in MG subjects with thymoma-associated MG when compared with those who have non-thymoma MG. This study aims to compare the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in a South African population of non-thymoma MG and thymoma-associated MG.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Freeman, Carla Patricia

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Heckmann, Jeannine
• Lewis, Ian Storm

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/11996

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/11996