[Overview of new research findings].

The understanding on the pathophysiology of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been significantly advanced for the past few years, and the contribution of Japanese researchers to it is worth mentioning. In axonal GBS (AMAN), transmission failure of a peripheral nerve occurs when anti-ganglioside antibody which is specifically formed based on the polymorphism of C. jejuni enters through the blood-nerve barrier and damages the node of Ranvier and its surrounding structures. Electrophysiologically, patients with AMAN demonstrate distal conduction failure, but that finding may improve rapidly by immunomodurating therapy suggesting distal conduction failure. The mainstream therapy of GBS is still intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and plasma exchange. However, clinical trials to assess effectiveness of other immunotherapy have been actively conducted.