The neuromuscular diseases comprise the disorders of peripheral nerve,
neuromuscular junction, and muscle (Figure 1). This book addresses the
immunologically mediated neuromuscular diseases, including
Guillain-Barre syndrome and other autoimmune neuropathies, the
Lambert-Eaton myas- thenic syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and the
autoimmune diseases of muscle. Two chapters are devoted to the
vasculitis and human immunodeficiency virus-mediated neuromuscular
diseases. The experimental models of neuritis and myasthenia gravis are
addressed in separate chapters. An introductory chapter provides a
general background to autoimmunity. I wish to thank my contributing
colleagues, all of whom are recognized experts in their respective
fields, for their willingness to cooperate in this project. Furthermore,
I am grateful to Dr Bill Hoffman of Stanford University who generously
assisted in the editing of several chapters during his time spent with
us on a sabbatical. I am also indebted to the editor and editorial staff
of Kluwer Academic Publishers for their help and advice during
preparation of this book. Munich/ Martinsried Reinhard Hohlfeld March
1994 ix IMMUNOLOGY OF NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE Myelin; Guillain Barre
syndrome NERVE TERMINAL ..