Handbook of Neuromuscular Medicine

The neuromuscular system or the peripheral nervous system consists of the motor nerves and sensory nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. The set of disorders that affect the neuromuscular system are called neuromuscular diseases. Neuromuscular medicine is a specialized field of medicine that draws from neurology and physiatry, and it focuses on the diagnosis and management of neuromuscular diseases. The predominant sign of these diseases is progressive muscle weakness. Some common neuromuscular disorders are amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, myasthenia gravis, and spinal muscular atrophy. Various diagnostic tools and tests such as nerve and muscle biopsies, electromyography, nerve conduction studies, and molecular and genetic tests are used to determine neuromuscular disorders. Genetic testing or DNA testing is a diagnostic method used to identify changes in the DNA sequence or the chromosome structure. This book presents various developments in the field of neuromuscular medicine that are aimed at improving neuromuscular health and treating neuromuscular diseases. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers up-to-date with the global concepts in this area of study.