Myasthenia gravis from Thomas Willis to the present

The history of the development of knowledge of myasthenia gravis is reviewed. Clinical profiles of the immune and nonimmunemediated forms of myasthenia are discussed. The current theory of pathogenesis is reviewed. Tests used todiagnose myasthenia gravis, and their comparative diagnostic yields are presented. Past and current modalities of treatmentare reviewed. Future therapeutic strategies are introduced. The roles of the thymus and thymectomy in the genesis andtreatment of myasthenia gravis are discussed.