  Our understanding of large amplitude pulsating stars and their status in
stellar evolution is briefly reviewed. The paper then describes the
near-infrared light curves of various asymptotic giant branch stars,
concentrating on possible evidence for changing mass-loss rates. The stars
discussed include oxygen- and carbon-rich Miras, OH/IR stars, thick-shelled
carbon stars and symbiotic Miras. Finally a newly discovered Mira variable in
the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy is described.
