Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies
| Category | Immunology |
|---|---|
| Test background |
Acetylcholine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that signals through its (nicotinic) receptors at the neuromuscular junction to allow skeletal muscle to contract. Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies are a sensitive and specific marker for generalised myasthenia gravis (MG) and found in around 85% of MG patients. They are also seen in 50% of patients with pure ocular MG. See also MuSK antibody |
| Clinical Indications |
Fatigueable muscle weakness |
| Reference range | <5 x 10-10 mol/L (range derived by the referral laboratory) |
| Sample & container required | Serum (rust top or yellow tube) |
| Sample volume | 5-10 mL blood (1 mL serum) |
| Turnaround time | 28 days |
| Notes | Not performed in house; this test is performed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) at OUH, Oxford Immunology Laboratory. |