Marta Figueiredo, PhD, science writer —

Marta holds a biology degree, a master’s in evolutionary and developmental biology, and a PhD in biomedical sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal. She was awarded a research scholarship and a PhD scholarship, and her research focused on the role of several signaling pathways in thymus and parathyroid glands embryonic development. She also previously worked as an assistant professor of an annual one-week embryology course at the University of Lisbon’s Faculty of Medicine.

Articles by Marta Figueiredo

Delays and Misdiagnosis Common With Lung Cancer-linked LEMS

Misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis are common among people with lung cancer-associated Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS), according to a small study in China. Most patients showed signs of LEMS before their lung cancer diagnosis — such as muscle weakness and problems in the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions such as…

Ruzurgi Available in Canada After Brief Interruption

Health Canada has re-issued its approval of Ruzurgi (amifampridine) for the treatment of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in patients 6 and older. The decision comes two months after the Federal Court in Canada cancelled the therapy’s approval in the country due to data protection-related issues filed by Catalyst Pharmaceuticals, which commercializes…

Plasma Exchange May Treat Lung Cancer-linked LEMS and PCD

Plasmapheresis, or plasma exchange, may be an effective way of managing small cell lung cancer-associated Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) and paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration (PCD), combined with peripheral nerve damage, a case report suggests. The simultaneous development of LEMS and PCD is usually associated with small cell lung cancer (SCLC)…

LEMS-associated Respiratory Problems May Lead to Heart Dysfunction, Case Report Shows

Lambert‐Eaton myasthenic syndrome-associated diaphragm weakness and subsequent respiratory problems may impair heart function, a case study shows. The report, “Lambert Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome Presenting as Hypoventilation-Induced Right Heart Dysfunction,” was accepted for presentation at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2020 International Conference, which was planned…