How does a neuromuscular disease affect the muscular system?
Neuromuscular disease is a general term used to refer to a group of disorders that adversely affect the peripheral nervous system. Normal muscle functioning is lost due to faulty signaling from the neurons that control them.FunctionMovement starts in the brain where neurons act as transmitters to relay signals to instruct muscles to contract or stretch. These “messages” are received by receptors called muscle spindles. If anything interferes with the communication flow of electrical impulses along these pathways, loss of muscle control and weakness is likely to occur.Neuromuscular Junction DiseasesAutoimmune disorders, such as Myasthenia Gravis, cause the body to mistakenly attack the neuromuscular junction between nerves and muscles by targeting muscle receptors.Muscular DystrophiesMuscular dystrophy represents a group of more than 30 genetically inherited diseases. Progressive loss of voluntary and involuntary muscle control is typical.
