Myasthenia gravis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Group leader
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder of the neuromuscular junction. Although the disease has been extensively investigated previously, new methodological approaches and investigation techniques , particularly molecular studies, have recently enabled to increase our knowledge of disease pathogenesis.
The purpose of our research group is to identiy modifying factors, risk factors and genetic markers in myasthenia gravis (MG). The focus of our work is to investigate the genetic risk factors (of the major histocompatiblity complex (MHC) ) and study environmental determinants such as socio-economic status, smoking andreproductive/hormonal factors, bone-health and quality of life in relation to susceptibility and outcome of MG disease. In addition some clinical aspects of the disease in our patients are being investigated more thoroughly. A clinical database has been established, in addition to a biobank, for all Norwegian patients consenting to participate.