Glossary
Acetylcholinesterase
An enzyme found in the synaptic cleft which hydrolyses acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine Receptor
An integral membrane protein found in the phospholipid bilayer that binds ACh inducing a response in the target cell
Autoantibodies
An individuals own antibodies are raised against there tissues or cells.
Autoimmune disease
Disorders in which an individuals body tissues and cells are attacked by their own immune systems antibodies.
Cholinesterase inhibitors
A compound which inhibits the enzyme acetylcholinesterase and therefore prevents the hydrolysis of acetylcholine. Resulting in an increase in the levels of acetylcholinesterase found in the synaptic cleft.
Clinical Trials
Testing prospective pharmaceutical agents in humans to gain efficacy and safety information, and determine whether drugs are suitable for use within the wider population.
Complement Cascade
A collection of proteins which work collaborately to help antibodies remove circulating pathogens.
End Plate Potential
Depolarisation of skeletal muscle induced by the binding of neurotransmitters to receptors in the post-synaptic density.
Epitope
The portion of a molecule which the antibody recognises and binds.
Extra ocular muscles
The 6 muscles which control the movement of the human eye.
Fatigue
Extreme tiredness
Granulocye macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF)
A cytokine that stimulates the production of granulocytes and monocytes from stem cells.
Immunologist
An individual who is a specialist in immunology.
Immunosupression
Reduction in the activity or effectiveness of the immune system or immune response, which can be the result of immunosupressive drug treatments.
Intraperitoneal
The abdominal cavity
Intravenous
A substance which is within or is administered into the vein of an individual.
Neuromuscular junction
The junction between the axon of a motor neuron and the motor end plate.
Muscle Specific Kinase
A receptor tyrosine kinase, with a central role in the formation of the neuromuscular junction.
Opthamologist
A branch of medicine in which they deal with the anatomy, physiology of the human eye.
Osteoporosis
A disease in which the bones themselves become brittle and fragile due to the loss of tissue.
Synaptic Cleft
A 20nm gap between the pre and post synaptic membrance, full of extra cellular matrix. This plays a role in the transmittion of the chemical signal.
Thymoma
A tumour of the thymus which is usually benign in nature and is composed of epithelial and lymphoid cells.