Guillain-Barre Syndrome

The previous articles focus on inflammation and disease. In lecture I had remembered Zoe discussing about the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) which is somewhat relevant to the articles. So now I am passing on the notes. GBS is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. It is normally triggered by an acute infectious process and affects the peripheral nervous system.

The notes in lecture state that the Guillain-Barre syndrome is due to an immune response to foreign antigens (such as infectious agents or vaccines) but mistargeted to host nerve tissues instead (a form of antigenic mimicry). Gangliosides are thought to be the target of this immune attack. These gangliosides are complex glycosphingolipids existing in large quantities on human nerve tissues, specifically the nodes of Ranvier. Overall, the inflammation of myelin and conduction block caused by the autoimmune attack on the peripheral nerves leads to muscle paralysis. This end result might be accompanied by sensory or autonomic disturbances.

GBS is commonly severe and presents an ascending paralysis marked by weakness in the lower limbs and spreads to the upper limbs and the face coupled with complete loss of deep tendon reflexes. Treatments consist of administering intravenous immunoglobulins or plasmapheresis. After the acute phase, the patient may also need rehabilitation to regain lost functions.