Question

Myasthenia gravis is a disease resulting from an autoimmune attack on the ACh receptors of the motor end plate. Binding of antibodies to the ACh receptors results in generalized muscle weakness that progresses as more ACh receptors are destroyed. Which of the following medications would help alleviate the muscle weakness?a. A drug that binds to and inactivates acetylcholinesterase (neostigmine)b. A drug that binds to the acetylcholine receptor and prevents it from opening (curare)c. A drug that blocks the release of acetylcholine (botulinum toxin)d. A drug that prevents acetylcholine from being loaded into synaptic vesicles (vesamicol)

Answer 1

Answer:

a. A drug that binds to and inactivates acetylcholinesterase (neostigmine)

Explanation:

Myasthenia gravis is a disease resulting from an autoimmune attack on the ACh receptors of the motor end plate. Binding of antibodies to the ACh receptors results in generalized muscle weakness that progresses as more ACh receptors are destroyed. Therefore, a drug that binds to and inactivates acetylcholinesterase (neostigmine) is a medication that would help alleviate the muscle weakness.

Answer 2

Answer:

a. A drug that binds to and inactivates acetylcholinesterase (neostigmine).

Explanation:

Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disease that affects the so-called neuromuscular junctions - regions throughout the body where neurons come into contact with muscles. It is at these locations that nerve stimuli become muscle contractions through the substance acetylcholine.

Muscle weakness, drooping eyelids, difficulty swallowing and chewing are some of the symptoms of myasthenia gravis, with muscle weakness being the most prominent symptom. To lessen the patient's feeling of muscle weakness, it would be appropriate to indicate a drug that binds and inactivates acetylcholinesterase, which is one of the major enzymes responsible for this sensation.