Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)

Please visit the GBS Foundation of Canada Website for further information and other resources.

GBS Variants

Guillain-Barré (Ghee-yan Bah-ray) Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks the peripheral nerves. Initial symptoms of GBS often include back pain, numbness, and tingling, followed by rapid-onset and progressive weakness of limb muscles leading to paralysis in many patients. In some patients respiratory and swallowing muscles can be involved and early intensive care may be necessary to monitor breathing and other functions. Recovery, aided by rehabilitation can range in duration from months to years. GBS is estimated to occur in about 1-2 persons per 100,000 annually and can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or ethnicity. It is rarer in children. GBS is not contagious and cannot be inherited.

What Causes GBS?

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) is a variant of GBS, with distinct and restricted symptoms. Unlike classic GBS with widespread weakness, MFS often leads to instability and gait imbalance and impaired limb coordination. Involvement of the eye muscles lead to double or blurred vision, or drooping eyelids.

Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy (AMAN) is a severe form of GBS that presents similarly to classic GBS but only involves the motor nerves causing pure weakness without any sensory deficits i.e. numbness.

Acute Motor Sensory Axonal Neuropathy (AMSAN) is a severe form of GBS. Like GBS, it causes both motor and sensory deficits but has delayed recovery.

GBS Symptoms

The exact cause of GBS is unknown. Many cases are preceded by a microbial respiratory or gut infection that trigger the patient’s immune system.

Want to Learn More About GBS?

The most common symptoms of GBS include rapidly progressive limb weakness, typically presenting in a symmetrical and ascending pattern i.e from distal to proximal limb. Other symptoms often observed are numbness and tingling in limbs, pain in the back or extremities, facial weakness, and difficulty breathing.