Drug used in ameliorative test for myasthenia gravis is:
**Core Concept**
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of the muscles under voluntary control. The disease is caused by antibodies that block or destroy nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) at the neuromuscular junction, impairing muscle contraction.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Edrophonium chloride is a rapid-acting cholinesterase inhibitor used in the Tensilon test to diagnose myasthenia gravis. When administered, it increases the concentration of acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, bypassing the blocked nAChRs and inducing temporary muscle contraction. This effect is temporary because edrophonium is rapidly metabolized by cholinesterase, terminating its action. The Tensilon test is used to assess the presence of myasthenic weakness by observing the improvement of muscle strength after edrophonium administration.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because there is no commonly used drug in the Tensilon test for myasthenia gravis.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because while anticholinesterase inhibitors like pyridostigmine are used to treat myasthenia gravis, they are not used in the Tensilon test.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because succinylcholine is a depolarizing muscle relaxant that would worsen muscle weakness in myasthenia gravis patients, rather than improving it.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
The Tensilon test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis, but it should be used with caution due to the risk of anaphylaxis or other adverse reactions to edrophonium. A positive test result should be followed by confirmatory diagnostic tests to establish the diagnosis.
**Correct Answer: A. Edrophonium chloride.**