From the Guidelines
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is classified into several types, including Classic sensorimotor GBS, Pure motor, Paraparetic, Pharyngeal–cervical–brachial, Bilateral facial palsy, Pure sensory, Miller Fisher syndrome, and Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis 1.
Types of GBS
- Classic sensorimotor GBS: characterized by rapidly progressive symmetrical weakness and sensory signs with absent or reduced tendon reflexes, usually reaching nadir within 2 weeks 1
- Pure motor: characterized by motor weakness without sensory signs, reported in 5–70% of patients with GBS 1
- Paraparetic: characterized by paresis restricted to the legs, reported in 5–10% of patients with GBS 1
- Pharyngeal–cervical–brachial: characterized by weakness of pharyngeal, cervical and brachial muscles without lower limb weakness, reported in less than 5% of patients with GBS 1
- Bilateral facial palsy: characterized by bilateral facial weakness, paraesthesias and reduced reflexes with paraesthesias, reported in less than 5% of patients with GBS 1
- Pure sensory: characterized by acute or subacute sensory neuropathy without other deficits, reported in less than 1% of patients with GBS 1
- Miller Fisher syndrome: characterized by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia and areflexia, reported in 5–25% of patients with GBS 1
- Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis: characterized by ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, areflexia, pyramidal tract signs and impaired consciousness, often overlapping with sensorimotor GBS 1 These types of GBS are distinct and have different clinical features, as outlined in Table 1 of the study by 1. The diagnosis and management of GBS can be complicated due to its heterogeneous clinical presentation and disease course, and the lack of international clinical guidelines 2. Electrodiagnostic studies can also differentiate between the three electrophysiological subtypes of classical GBS: AIDP, AMAN, and AMSAN, although international consensus is yet to be reached on which set of criteria best defines the electrophysiological subtypes 3.
From the Research
Types of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)
The types of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) include:
- Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
- Acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) 4, 5, 8
- Miller Fisher syndrome 4
- Pure sensory neuropathy/neuronopathy 4
- Pandysautonomia 4
- Oropharyngeal variant 4
Characteristics of GBS Subtypes
- AIDP is the most common form of GBS in Europe and North America, accounting for 90% of all GBS cases in the Western world 5
- AMAN and AMSAN are more prevalent in Asia, South and Central America, often preceded by infection by Campylobacter jejuni 5, 7
- AMAN is characterized by axonal degeneration, with gangliosides GM1, GM1b, GD1a, and GalNAc-GD1a as potential target molecules 6, 7