Eaton-Lambert syndrome

Eaton-Lambert syndrome, also known as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, is a rare autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder characterized by defective transmission between motor nerve endings and muscles While it can arise as a primary idiopathic autoimmune disease across various age groups, roughly half of all cases present as a paraneoplastic syndrome, most commonly secondary to small cell lung cancer

Eaton-Lambert syndrome, also known as Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome, is a rare autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder characterized by defective transmission between motor nerve endings and muscles

Pathophysiologically, autoantibodies target presynaptic P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels, impairing calcium influx and substantially diminishing acetylcholine release into the synaptic cleft

Pathophysiologically, autoantibodies target presynaptic P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels, impairing calcium influx and substantially diminishing acetylcholine release into the synaptic cleft

Clinically, it manifests as symmetric proximal muscle weakness—predominantly affecting the lower extremities—accompanied by hyporeflexia or areflexia and autonomic dysfunction such as xerostomia

Clinically, it manifests as symmetric proximal muscle weakness—predominantly affecting the lower extremities—accompanied by hyporeflexia or areflexia and autonomic dysfunction such as xerostomia

While it can arise as a primary idiopathic autoimmune disease across various age groups, roughly half of all cases present as a paraneoplastic syndrome, most commonly secondary to small cell lung cancer