NUR112 - Guillain-Barre Syndrome

Course overview

Guillain-Barre (ghee-yan BAH-ray) Syndrome, also called infectious polyneuritis, acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and Landry's ascending paralysis, is a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. Often starting in the feet and legs, paralysis may ascend to the trunk, hands, and arms, causing total paralysis. When this occurs, GBS is a true medical emergency, Guillain-Barre syndrome can affect anybody. It can strike at any age and both sexes are equally prone to the disorder. The syndrome is rare, however, afflicting only about one person in 100,000. Neurological scientists, immunologists, virologists, and pharmacologists are all working collaboratively to learn how to prevent this disorder and to make better therapies available when it strikes.