Immune-Mediated Neuropathies

The purpose of this review article is to discuss the pathogenesis of acute and chronic immune-mediated neuropathies along with the recent advances in their treatment.

Since the first description of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) more than a century ago, there have been numerous forms of immune-mediated neuropathies described expanding the spectrum. Understanding the role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated neuropathies has been an advancement towards the diagnosis and treatment. It is postulated that immune-mediated neuropathies are a group of diseases resulting from autoimmunity towards multiple components of peripheral nervous system. These have a wide range of pathologic mechanisms, defined clinical presentations, electro-diagnostic and laboratory findings which help in diagnosis and management. Although immunosuppression is the common modality of treatment for these disorders, uncovering distinct pathogenic mechanisms can allow for targeted immunomodulation.