Guillain-Barré Syndrome

(Ghee-yan Bah-ray)

Presentation and Information Prepared by:

Carrie Phillips, Shaneen Fernandez, and Donna
Horton
Quick Overview
 Guillain-Barré is a non-contagious autoimmune
disorder that affects approximately 1 in every
100,000 individuals in the United States.
 It is not clear yet if a specific disease-causing agent
is involved so Guillain-Barré is called a syndrome
rather than a disease
 Pathogenesis
 Acute autoimmune
disorder
 There is involvement of T
lymphocytes and B
lymphocytes
 Brain is unable to send
messages
 Legs and arms are
commonly affected
Etiology
 There are varying
degrees of severity
 Onset usually occurs
1-3 weeks after
exposure to a viral
infection
 Destruction most often
occurs in segments
between the Nodes of
Ranvier
Clinical Manifestations
Signs and Symptoms Include…

 Paresthesia
 Muscle Weakness
 Possible Paralysis
Treatment
There is no cure for Guillain-Barré Syndrome, but there
are treatments available…

 Plasmapharesis
 Immunoglobulins
Sources
 (1) Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Davids, Dr. Heather. University of Colorado
School of Medicine. 2006. Viewed at:
http://www.emedicine.com/pmr/topic48.htm
 "Guillain-Barré Syndrome Fact Sheet." NINDS. NIH Publication No. 05-2902.
Viewed at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/gbs/detail_gbs.htm
 Van Doorn, P. A., (March 2003). Gullain-Barré syndrome. Retrieved September
2, 2008 from http://www.orpha.net/data/patho/GB/uk-Guillain.pdf
 Thomas. C. L. (18). (1997). Taber’s Encyclopedic Medical Dictionary.
Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.
 Http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/653/main.html
 http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/gbs/gbs.htm
 http://www.neurologychannel.com/guillain/treatment.shtml
 http://www.emedicine.com/pkm/topic48.htm#section~treatment