[CSF filtration and interferon-beta for Guillain-Barré syndrome].

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) filtration has been proposed as a new treatment for Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The theory behind filtering the CSF is that soluble pathogenetic factors or inflammatory mediators including cytokines might be removed from a site where nerve conduction could be impeded or nerve root damage inflicted. There is no pathologic background to recommend continuing with CSF filtration in GBS. Interferon is an immunoregulatory cytokine that reduces relapse frequency in multiple sclerosis and ameliorates experimental autoimmune neuritis, an animal model of GBS. A trial showed that interferon beta-1a would be safe in patients with GBS, but the sample size was too small to detect anything other than a large effect.