Also Known As
Muscle nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor (AChR) Binding Antibody
AChR Antibody
Myasthenia Gravis Antibodies
Formal Name
This article was last reviewed on
This article waslast modified on 12 June 2019.
At a Glance
Why Get Tested?

To help diagnose myasthenia gravis (MG) and to distinguish between MG and other conditions with similar symptoms; sometimes to monitor MG

When To Get Tested?

When you have symptoms that suggest MG, such as a progressively drooping eyelid, double vision, difficulty chewing or swallowing, and/or weakness in specific muscles

Sample Required?

A blood sample taken from a vein in your arm

Test Preparation Needed?








What is being tested?

Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies are autoantibodies produced by the immune system that mistakenly target proteins called acetylcholine receptors that are located on skeletal muscle fibres. This test detects and measures AChR antibodies in the blood.

Acetylcholine receptors function as "docking stations" for acetylcholine, a chemical substance (neurotransmitter) that transmits messages between nerve cells. Muscle movement starts when an impulse is sent down a nerve to the nerve ending, where it stimulates the release of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine travels across a microscopic gap between the nerve ending and a muscle fibre at the "neuromuscular junction." When it reaches the muscle fibre, it binds to one of many acetylcholine receptors and activates it, initiating muscle contraction.

AchR antibodies impede communication between nerves and skeletal muscles, inhibit muscle contraction, and cause rapid muscle fatigue by preventing activation of the acetylcholine receptors. They do this in three major ways:

  • When they bind to the receptors, the antibodies may initiate an inflammatory reaction that destroys them and the neuromuscular junction.
  • The antibodies may sit on the receptors, preventing acetylcholine from binding.
  • The antibodies may cross-link the receptors, causing them to be taken up into the muscle cell and removed from the neuromuscular junction.

The end result of this interference is the development of myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic autoimmune disorder associated with the presence of these antibodies and with their effects on muscle control.

AchR antibodies may be detected in different ways however, the technique that measures binding antibodies is the most commonly performed and, generally speaking, it is rare for other tests to be undertaken. Other approaches may be useful when the doctor strongly suspects myasthenia gravis and the first line AchR antibody test is negative.

How is the sample collected for testing?



No test preparation is needed.

Accordion Title
Common Questions
  • How is it used?

    An acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody test is used to help diagnose myasthenia gravis (MG) and to distinguish it from other conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as chronic muscle fatigue and weakness.

    AchR antibodies hinder the action of acetylcholine, a chemical (neurotransmitter) that transmits messages between nerve cells. The antibodies do this in three major ways:

    • "Binding" antibodies attach to the acetylcholine receptors on nerve cells and may initiate an inflammatory reaction that destroys them.
    • "Blocking" antibodies may sit on the receptors, preventing acetylcholine from binding.
    • "Modulating" antibodies may cross-link the receptors, causing them to be taken up into the muscle cell and removed from the neuromuscular junction.

    The test that measures "binding" antibodies are most commonly used because modulating or blocking antibodies are not found on their own, the binding antibody is always present as well. Sometimes the antibody binds for a very short time and is difficult to detect in normal assays and then a “high avidity” test may be used. This is only done if there is a high clinical suspicion of myasthenia gravis and the first test is negative.

    AChR antibody tests may be requested as part of a group of tests that may also to help establish a diagnosis. Depending upon results, an anti-MuSK (muscle-specific kinase) antibody test may also be requested and if they are also negative a striated muscle antibody test. Some laboratories measure specific subsets of these antibodies – Titin and Ryanodine antibodies.

    The AChR antibody test may be requested initially as a baseline test and then as indicated to evaluate MG disease activity and/or response to therapy.

    People with MG often have an enlarged thymus gland and may have thymomas (typically benign tumors of the thymus). Located under the breastbone, the thymus is an active part of the immune system in a developing baby and early life, but normally becomes largely inactive after puberty. If a thymoma is detected, such as during a chest computed tomography (CT) scan done for a different reason, then an AChR antibody test may sometimes be used to determine whether the person has developed these antibodies.

  • When is it requested?

    The AChR antibody test may be requested when a person has symptoms that suggest MG, such as:

    • Drooping eyelids – worsening as the day wears on
    • Double vision
    • Decreased eye movement control
    • Difficulty swallowing, chewing, with choking, drooling and gagging
    • Slurred speech
    • Weak neck muscles
    • Trouble holding up head
    • Difficulty breathing
    • Difficulty walking and an altered gait
    • Specific muscle weakness but normal feelings/sensations
    • Muscle weakness that worsens with sustained effort and improves with rest

    When a person has been diagnosed with MG, an AChR antibody test may be requested occasionally to evaluate MG disease activity and/or response to therapy.

    An AChR antibody test may sometimes be requested when a thymoma is detected.

  • What does the test result mean?

    AChR antibodies are not normally present in the blood. They are autoantibodies and their presence indicates an autoimmune response.

    If a person has AChR antibodies and symptoms of MG, then it is likely that the person has this condition, although very low level antibodies may be seen in individuals who never develop the condition.

    AChR antibodies may be seen with some thymomas, in people who are being treated with drugs such as penicillamine, with some small cell lung cancers, with autoimmune liver disease, and with Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (a condition associated with interference with the release of acetylcholine from the nerve ending). In Lambert-Eaton Calcium Channel antibodies may also be seen.

    A negative test result does not rule out MG. Up to 50% of those with ocular MG (affecting only eye-related muscles) and about 10-15% of those with generalised MG will be negative for AChR antibodies.

    In general, the greater the quantity of AChR antibody, the more likely a person is to have myasthenia, but the test results cannot be used to evaluate the severity of symptoms in a specific person.

  • Is there anything else I should know?

    Use of drugs such as succinylcholine can increase AChR antibodies.

    People who have MG are more likely to also have other autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus.

  • Should everyone have an acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody test?

    It is not intended for general screening purposes and most people will never need to have one done.

  • Can this test be performed in my doctor's surgery?

    No, it is a specialised test that is not offered by every laboratory. Your blood will likely need to be sent to a reference laboratory for testing and result interpretation

  • Can myasthenia gravis (MG) affect my heart?

    No, the receptors for heart and smooth (digestive) muscles are different from skeletal muscles so they are not affected by the formation of AChR binding antibodies.

  • How serious is MG?

    Most people who have it can live a normal or near normal life with treatment and monitoring. One of the most serious complications is a respiratory myasthenic crisis that can occur when muscles that control breathing are weakened. This can be a medical emergency and often requires hospitalisation.

  • Is there anything I can do to prevent getting AChR binding antibodies?

    No, the cause of MG is not known and the condition is not preventable.

  • Can MG be passed from one person to another?

    MG is not contagious, but a pregnant woman with MG can pass some of her AChR antibodies to her foetus. This can cause a newborn to have MG symptoms for several weeks after birth.

  • Can MG be inherited?

    As an autoimmune process, no. Some people may inherit a genetic defect that causes congenital myasthenic syndrome, a condition with similar symptoms.