ANTIACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ANTIBODY IN MYASTHENIC SYNDROME

Objective To examine the relationship between antibodies to acetylchol inesterase and myasthenic syndrome. Methods Serum class specific antib odies to acetylcholinesterase and acetylcholine receptor were prepared with solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 51 patients wit h myasthenic syndrome, 31 controls with other neurological dis eases ( diseased controls) and 44 normal controls. Results The positive rate o f anti-acetylcholinesterase antibody in patients with myasthenic syndr ome was 25%, while the results of the other two control groups were ne gative. Furthermore, the positive rate in patients without myasthenia gravis was 45%, which was much higher than that (13%) in those with my asthenic gravis. Conclusion Anti-acetylcholinesterase antibody may pla y a role in the pathogenesis of myasthenic syndrome.