American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

In Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), the clinical and laboratory findings are characterized by specific patterns, and understanding these is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Areflexia, which refers to the absence of reflexes, is a common finding in GBS due to the disruption of peripheral nerve function. Similarly, ascending paralysis is a hallmark of the syndrome, starting from the lower extremities and potentially progressing to involve the upper body and respiratory muscles.

One key laboratory finding often observed in GBS is elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein, which occurs without a corresponding increase in white blood cell count, leading to the classic "albuminocytologic dissociation." This finding helps differentiate GBS from other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

In contrast, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, which indicates an increase in the number of white blood cells in the CSF, is not typically associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome. In fact, in GBS, the white blood cell count in the CSF remains normal or only mildly elevated. Therefore, the absence of significant pleocytosis distinguishes GBS from other inflammatory or infectious processes affecting the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis or viral meningitis. This understanding helps clarify the correct