Corticospinal Tract Involvement in a Variant of Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Abstract

To determine the involvement of the corticospinal tract in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), we examined central motor conduction in patients with GBS-like symptoms and hyperreflexia using a magnetic stimulation technique. The subjects were 3 patients who exhibited ascending muscle weakness 2–4 weeks after preceding infections. Deep tendon reflexes were exaggerated in all four limbs of the 3 patients. The results of cerebrospinal fluid examinations revealed protein elevation without pleocytosis. The serum anti-GM₁ antibody titer was elevated in 2 patients. The results of nerve conduction study revealed axonal motor neuropathy and normal F-wave conduction. Central motor conduction time (CMCT) in patients with hyperreflexia was significantly delayed compared to that in patients with GBS and areflexia (p < 0.001), and the delayed CMCTs were significantly improved in the recovery periods (p < 0.001). Although hyperreflexia is a controversial symptom in patients with GBS, these findings indicate that there is functional corticospinal tract involvement in patients with a GBS variant.