Generalized form and duration of myasthenia gravis as predictors of cognitive impairment

Abstract

We performed a clinical, neurological, neuropsychological and laboratory examination of 30 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, aged 25 to 69 years (49.0 ± 14.6 years), 11 men and 19 women. Among the examined patients, the generalized form of myasthenia was diagnosed in 20 (66.7%) patients: 4 (20.0%) cases of severe and 16 (80.0%) of moderate forms. The ocular form of myasthenia was found in 10 (33.3%) cases. Neuropsychological testing revealed memory impairment in 15 (50.0%), attention – 11 (36.7%), emotional disturbances – 13 (43.3%) patients with myasthenia gravis. A significant decrease in the concentration of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the blood serum of patients with myasthenia was noted, compared with the control group (p < 0.01). When comparing the data of neuropsychological testing, the level of BDNF and the history of the disease, it was found that patients with a generalized form of myasthenia gravis and a disease duration of more than three years have a lower level BDNF, which has a reliable correlation with lower cognitive function scores.