In Practice 26: 298-302 (2004)
© 2004 British Veterinary Association

Differential diagnosis of junctionopathies in small animals

¹ Cambridge, clinical neurology.

THE term ‘junctionopathy’ is used to describe a disease process that disrupts the normal function of the neuromuscular junction (ie, between a motor axon and skeletal muscle). Junctionopathies are not common conditions in general practice, although veterinary surgeons may be familiar with myasthenia gravis. Unfortunately, the clinical signs associated with junctionopathies are rather varied because different disease processes affect different stages of the efficient translation of electrical-to-chemical-to-electrical signals inherent in junction function. Therefore, it is often necessary to determine whether the observed clinical signs or symptoms described by an owner could be consistent with a junctionopathy. This article discusses the differential diagnosis of myasthenia gravis and other diseases, and briefly reviews treatment options. For further information on the aetiology of junctionopathies, see Penderis (2003).