Voltage-Gated Calcium-Channel Antibodies

Key points

• Voltage-gated calcium-channel antibodies Lambert-Eaton syndrome or myasthenia gravis? Weakness in Lambert Eaton improves after exercise, unlike myasthenia gravis;
• repeated muscle contractions lead to increased muscle strength (in contrast to myasthenia gravis) o in reality, this is seen in only 50% of patients and following prolonged muscle use muscle strength will eventually decrease
• limb-girdle weakness (affects lower limbs first)
• autonomic symptoms: dry mouth, impotence, difficulty micturating
• ophthalmoplegia and ptosis not commonly a feature (unlike in myasthenia gravis) EMG