Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026
07:30
A Simple Approach to Induce Experimental Autoimmune Neuritis in C57BL/6 Mice for Functional and Neuropathological Assessments
Published on: November 9, 2017
Recurrent Guillain-Barré syndrome
K Kuitwaard1, R van Koningsveld, L Ruts
1Erasmus MC, Department of Neurology, s-Gravendijkwal 230, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands. k.kuitwaard@erasmusmc.nl
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|October 22, 2008
Summary
Recurrences of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) are more common in younger patients, particularly those with Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) and milder initial symptoms. Host factors may influence GBS recurrence patterns.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Immunology
Background:
- Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is typically considered a single-episode illness.
- However, a subset of patients experiences recurrent episodes of GBS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify patient subgroups prone to GBS recurrence.
- To compare preceding infections and neurological symptoms between initial and subsequent GBS episodes.
Main Methods:
- Defined recurrence as two or more GBS episodes meeting NINCDS criteria.
- Excluded patients with treatment fluctuations or acute-onset chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
- Compared clinical characteristics of 32 recurrent GBS patients with 476 non-recurrent patients.
Main Results:
- Recurrent GBS patients (mean age 34.2) were younger than non-recurrent patients (mean age 46.9).
- Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) and milder symptoms were more frequent in recurrent cases.
- Clinical symptoms were similar across episodes for individual patients, though preceding infections varied.
Conclusions:
- Genetic or immunological host factors likely contribute to recurrent GBS.
- Recurrences are more prevalent in patients under 30, with milder GBS, and in MFS cases.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Multiple Sclerosis l: Introduction
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that affects the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. It is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder and a leading cause of neurological disability in young adults.EpidemiologyMS commonly begins between 20 and 40 years of age and is twice as common in women. Its exact cause remains unclear, but genetic susceptibility contributes, with higher risk in first-degree relatives and identical twins. A greater...
01:22Myasthenia Gravis ll: Pathophysiology
The disease process of myasthenia gravis begins at the neuromuscular junction, where antibodies attack key proteins needed for muscle activation. This immune reaction weakens signal transmission, leading to the characteristic muscle fatigue and weakness that define the condition.Immune-Mediated DamageIn most individuals, antibodies target acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) on the postsynaptic membrane of muscle cells. By blocking acetylcholine binding, these antibodies prevent the nerve signal...
01:25Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology
Early Ischemia and Ionic ImbalanceWithin minutes of spinal cord injury, a secondary cascade begins, progressing over hours to weeks. Vascular damage reduces blood flow, causing ischemia and mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP depletion leads to ion pump failure, membrane depolarization, sodium influx, potassium efflux, and water accumulation, resulting in cellular swelling. Increased intracellular calcium further disrupts mitochondria and accelerates cellular injury.Excitotoxicity and Neuronal...
01:20Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
Myasthenia gravis is a neuromuscular transmission disorder characterized by weakness and increased fatigability of skeletal muscles. It is an autoimmune disease affecting approximately one in 2000 people, where antibodies against the α1 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are produced.
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
01:15Myasthenia Gravis: Diagnostic Tests
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune condition affecting neuromuscular transmission, causing generalized weakness in skeletal muscles. Initial diagnoses rely on patients' signs, symptoms, and medical history. The challenge lies in distinguishing myasthenia from other muscular dystrophies. An important diagnostic feature is the significant improvement of symptoms after administering anticholinesterase inhibitors.
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
The edrophonium test is a diagnostic tool for myasthenia gravis. It involves...
01:22Botulism
Botulism is a life-threatening neuroparalytic condition caused by botulinum neurotoxin, which is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a Gram-positive, spore-forming, obligate anaerobe.In adults, the toxin enters the body in different ways: in foodborne botulism, the preformed toxin is absorbed in the intestine. In wound botulism, spores grow in injured tissue and release the toxin into the blood. Infant botulism differs mechanistically from adult forms. In infants, botulism commonly...