Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LES)

Amifampridine, CAS# 54-96-6 is the first and only approved drug thus far for the symptomatic treatment of Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome in adults. As a rare autoimmune disease, Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, also called LEMS, is typically caused by  auto antibodies  to voltage gated calcium channels, leading to a reduction in the amount of acetylcholine released from nerve terminals in patients. The predominant symptom of LEMS is muscle weakness, with this weakness usually concentrated in the proximal muscles of the legs and trunk. Additional, devastating symptoms of this rare disease include extreme fatigue, reduced reflexes, drooping of the eyelids, problems with swallowing,

Question: What is the difference between Myasthenia Gravis and Lambert-Eaton syndrome? How do doctors differentiate between the two in diagnosis? Is the treatment similar? Answer: Myasthenia gravis causes muscle weakness that patients usually appreciate becoming significantly worse with activity. Double vision, swallowing and speaking abnormalities, and difficulty walking and using the arms are common symptoms. Lambert-Eaton may produce similar symptoms, but double vision is less common. Muscle aches are more common and patients often have dry mouth. Patients may also have impotence, constipation, impaired sweating, and blurred vision. Myasthenia gravis is caused by antibodies against acetylcholine receptor and compromise the muscle side of the nerve-muscle communication point. Lambert-Eaton syndrome appears to be caused most often by antibodies to calcium channels of the nerve. Lambert-Eaton is often triggered by the development of a lung cancer. An EMG test can differentiate