The Anatomy and Neuroimmmunology of Neuromuscular Junction

Choi, Young-Chul

Korean Journal of Neuromuscular Disorders 2009;1(1):45-50.

Young-Chul Choi

Departments of Neurology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

신경근육접합의 구조와 신경면역학

최영철

연세대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Abstract

The Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is the specialized structure between motor nerves and skeletal muscle, which consisted of presynaptic membrane, synaptic cleft and postsynaptic membrane. This complex structures converts nerve action potentials into muscle contraction. It is a target of a various neuroimmunologic disorders due to vulnerable to antibody-mediated attack. The main autoimmune disorders of NMJ are myasthenia gravis (MG)and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS). The understanding of the immunological basis of MG and LEMS has improved in the recent years. This review provides the outline of the anatomy and physiology of the NMJ. It also focuses on recent advance of immunopathogenesis of NMJ disorder.