Acute Motor Axonal Neuropathy

Abstract

This article includes discussion of acute motor axonal neuropathy, Chinese paralytic syndrome, axonal GBS, acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSN), acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP), and Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS). The foregoing terms may include synonyms, similar disorders, variations in usage, and abbreviations. Overview Acute motor axonal neuropathy is the most frequent axonal variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and is often used synonymously with the term axonal GBS. This review describes clinical and electrodiagnostic features of acute motor axonal neuropathy and compares it with the acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiucloneuropathy variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Pathology and pathogenesis of this disorder are discussed to highlight the theme of molecular mimicry. Key points • Acute motor axonal neuropathy is a variant of Guillain-Barré syndrome with predominant motor axon dysfunction or injury, and it is strongly associated with antecedent Campylobacter jejuni infection and the presence of anti-ganglioside antibodies. • In North America and Europe, acute motor axonal neuropathy is much less frequent than acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiucloneuropathy.