Brain Diseases
Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Back to Brain DiseasesWhat Is Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurologic disorder in which the body’s autoimmune response attacks the peripheral nervous system. Peripheral nerves are located outside the brain and spinal cord and are responsible for connecting the central nervous system to other parts of the body, including the eyes, ears, muscles, and blood vessels. Early symptoms include weakness and tingling in the feet and legs, though with time these symptoms can spread to the upper body and become more severe, including paralysis in some cases.
1 person in 100,000
People affected by GBS each year
3,000 to 6,000
Approximate number of cases reported each year
70%
Percentage of people who experience a full recovery
What Causes Guillain-Barré Syndrome?
The exact cause of GBS is unknown. It is not contagious or inherited. It has been linked to events that stress the immune system and may trigger the disease, such as infections, surgery, or in rare cases, vaccinations. Symptoms often occur in the days and weeks following a gastrointestinal or viral respiratory illness. Some areas of the world have reported a higher incidence of GBS after infection with the Zika virus.
Researchers think that GBS may develop when a virus causes changes to certain cells in the nervous system, prompting the body’s autoimmune response. When the immune system damages these healthy nerves, they cannot transmit signals effectively between the brain and the rest of the body. As a result, muscles are not able to function properly, causing weakness and eventually paralysis in some cases. The brain may also receive fewer or abnormal signals from the body, which can cause unexpected sensations like tingling in the feet and legs.
People can develop GBS at any age, though it affects adults and older people more frequently. It occurs in men and women equally.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Signs and Symptoms
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Diagnosis
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Treatment Options
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Research Efforts
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Resources
NINDS: Guillain-Barré Syndrome Fact Sheet
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Guillain-Barré Syndrome
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News and Articles
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