Guillain-Barré syndome Flashcards
Which parts of the body are considered to be part of the central nervous system (CNS)?
- Brain
- Myelum
- Optic nerve
Which parts of the body are considered to be part of the peripheral nervous system (PNS)? (4)
- Nerve roots
- Dorsal root ganglia
- Peripheral nerves
- Cranial nerves (with exception of N. II)
Which three layers do peripheral nerves have (outside to inside)?
- Epineurium, connective tissue encapsulating the whole nerve
- Fasicles of nerve fibres, encapsulated in perineurium
- Endoneurium -> individual nerve fibres
What are peripheral nerve fibres surrounded by? Is this also true for unmyelinated neurons?
Schwann cells, this is true for all neurons in the PNS
What are the myelinating cells of the PNS, and of the CNS? How many axons can each of these cell types myelinate?
PNS = Schwann cells, myelinate 1 axon
CNS = oligodendrocytes, can myelinate >1 axon
What are the gaps between myelinated patches of axons called? What is their function?
Patches of Ranvier, necessary for fast transmission of electrical impulses
Does the PNS have a blood-brain barrier?
Yes
What does the PNS blood-brain carrier consist of? (2)
- Tight junctions between endothelial cells of the blood vessels
- Regulation of endothelium by pericytes
True or false: the PNS blood-brain barrier is tight across the PNS
False; it is leaky at nerve roots, ganglions and nerve terminals
Where can immune cells and immunoglobulins access the PNS?
Places where the PNS blood-brain barrier is leaky, such as nerve roots and nerve terminals
Does the PNS present antigens?
Neurons don’t present antigens, but MHCII is inducible on Schwann cells
Are there immune cells within the PNS in physiological circumstances?
Yes, endoneurial macrophages
What is the function of endoneurial macrophages?
They are needed for Wallerian degeneration -> important for nerve generation after severing of nerves
Why are peripheral nerves especially vulnerable cells? (2)
- Largest cells in the human body
- Require intact cell surface for normal electrophysiology
Which serum marker is often elevated in immune-mediated neuropathies?
M-protein/paraprotein -> antibodies against antigenic sites on nerves
True or false: GBS is the most frequent cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis in all countries
False; GBS is the most common cause of acute neuromuscular paralysis in countries without polio
What is the incidence of GBS?
1-2/100.000 persons/year
What is the lifetime risk of GBS?
1/1000
GBS is more common at [lower/higher] age
Higher age
What is the male:female ratio of GBS patients? What is remarkable about this?
M:F = 3:2
Most auto-immune diseases are more common in women, whilst GBS is more common in men
What are the symptoms of GBS? (4)
- Muscle paralysis
- Sensory deficits
- Autonomic dysfunction
- Areflexia
How can muscle paralysis in GBS manifest itself? Which of these presentations is life-threatening?
- Inability to move limbs, eyes, face
- Inability to speak/swallow
- Respiratory insufficiency (=life-threatening)
How can sensory deficits of GBS manifest? (3)
- Pain/tingling
- Numbness, absent sence of pain/touch
- Absent position sense (=ataxia)
How can autonomic dysfunction in GBS manifest itself? (2)
- Tension fluctuations
- Cardiac arrythmia
How is GBS diagnosed?
Mostly based on clinical features, can be supplemented by additional examinations
Which clinial features are enough to diagnose GBS? (3)
- Rapidly progressive (<4) weeks
- Symmetrical paralysis of arms & legs
- Reduced/absent reflexes
Which additional examinations can be performed to support a GBS diagnosis? (3) What will be their outcomes?
- Blood = no abnormalities
- CSF = no cells, increased protein level
- Electrophysiology = demyelination & axonal degeneration