Archive 1992–2014

Objectives. The aim of the article was to review studies on cognitive function in myasthenia gravis.
Background. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neuromuscular disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system. Attempts were made to obtain neuropsychological evidence that the central nervous system (CNS) is implicated in MG as well. However, neuropsychological findings concerning cognitive function in MG are inconsistent. The discrepancies may be due to differences in methodological approaches used in particular studies, different patient selection criteria, assessment methods, and types of comparative groups (healthy controls vs. patients). Possible cognitive impairments were interpretedas due to cholinergic neurotransmission deficits in the CNS, respiratory insufficiency, or increased fatiguability.
Conclusions. Results of neuropsychological studies conducted to date have provided no evidence for cognitive dysfunction in MG due to the CNS involvement.