Myasthenia gravis: understanding seronegative patients and autoantibody roles
Official title: Project 3
Funded at George Washington University · NIH-11414991 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project at a major university is exploring why some people with myasthenia gravis don’t have detectable antibodies and how those antibodies may cause muscle weakness.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | George Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $160,840 |
| NIH project number | 5U54NS115054-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11414991 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with myasthenia gravis, especially those lacking detectable autoantibodies to known NMJ targets.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with MG not related to NMJ autoantibodies or unrelated autoimmune conditions may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses advanced, high-throughput technologies to look for immune targets in people with seronegative myasthenia gravis. Researchers will screen large libraries of human antigens to identify antibodies that may be involved in SNMG. The goal is to uncover mechanisms of disease and identify targets that could guide better treatments. The work is conducted by a team at George Washington University and involves human immune samples to study autoimmune processes at the neuromuscular junction.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could lead to better diagnosis and personalized treatments for people with seronegative MG.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have successfully identified autoantibody targets in MG, but SNMG mechanisms remain poorly understood and are an active area of research.
Where this research is happening
-
George Washington University
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'connor, Kevin C — George Washington University
- Study coordinator: O'connor, Kevin C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.