The congenital myasthenic syndromes

The congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are rare inherited disorders of neuromuscular transmission characterised by fatigable muscle weakness. Thus far, genetic analysis has identified mutations in eleven different genes but it is clear that additional phenotypic subgroups exist where the underlying genetics has not yet been defined. Although each syndrome results from defective synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction, the patients show a variable set of phenotypes. Here, we provide a brief clinical review.