The detection of hypointensities in PGGM appears to be a very promising surrogate MRI biomarker for ALS due to its simplicity, high sensitivity and specificity, suitability for longitudinal studies, and relationship with the pathogenesis of the disease.

This is the first epidemiological study of myasthenia gravis (MG) in the area of Belgrade. During the survey period (1983–1992), 124 incidental cases of MG were observed, producing an average annual incidence rate of 7.1 per million population (women, 8.3; men, 5.8). Age and sex specific incidence rates for females demonstrated a bimodal pattern, with the first peak in the age group between 20 and 40, and the second peak in the age group 70–80. The age‐specific rates for males showed unimodal pattern, reaching a maximum in the age group between 60 and 80. There was a tendency of more frequent disease appearance in the urban as opposed to the suburban districts. On the prevalence day, December 31, 1992, the point prevalence rate was 121.5 per million (women, 142.5; men, 98.8). Only for incidental cases, the point prevalence rate was 77.1 (women, 83.2; men, 70.4). The average annual mortality rate was 0.47 per million (females, 0.52; males, 0.42), while cumulative lethality was 5.6 (women, 5.6; men, 5.7). Most frequently initial symptoms were ocular, occurring in 58% patients. Through the period of investigation ocular symptoms were generalized in 68%, most frequently in the first 2 years (62.5%). Thymoma was confirmed in 11.3% of patients. In this group there was equal presence of both sexes, older median age at onset, and more severe clinical course of MG. Associated autoimmune disease was found in 17 out of 124 incidental cases (13.7%). The most common were thyroid diseases (7.3%). Family history of MG was recorded in 2 cases belonging to 1 family (1.6%).

Adoption of the Stupp protocol had a favorable impact on overall, but not on progression-free, survival rate. Wider surgical resection involving the peritumoral brain zone, as confirmed by univariate and multivariate analysis, represents the most favorable prognostic factor.

Myasthenia gravis (MG) associated with anti-muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies differs in many aspects from typical presentation of acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-positive MG. Myopathy and muscle atrophy are observed in MuSK-positive MG patients, unlike AChR-positive patients with MG. That is why the aim of this study was to assess the presence of myopathy and muscle atrophy as well as the tongue lipid composition in our cohort of MuSK-positive MG patients. Clinical examination, electromyography (EMG) and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy were performed in 31 MuSK-positive and 28 AChR-positive MG patients. Myopathic EMG was more frequent in MuSK compared to AChR MG patients. In AChR MG patients, myopathic EMG in facial muscles was more frequent after long-term corticosteroid treatment, which was not the case with MuSK-positive MG patients. Facial and/or tongue muscle atrophy was registered in 23 % of MuSK MG patients. Longer disease duration was observed in patients with clinical signs of tongue and/or facial muscle atrophy compared to those with normal tongue muscle. Intramyocellular lipid deposition in the tongue was present in 85.2 % of MuSK and 20 % of AChR MG patients. Female MuSK MG patients had more frequently electrophysiological signs of myopathy on the facial muscles and signs of intramyocellular lipid deposition in the tongue, compared to male patients with MuSK-positive MG. Myopathy, muscle atrophy and intramyocellular lipid deposition in the tongue are more frequent in MuSK-positive compared to AChR-positive MG patients.

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