UAB named Center of Excellence in treating Guillain-Barré Syndrome
UAB has been named a Center of Excellence for providing state-of-the-art treatment of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, in which a person's immune system attacks peripheral nerves and can render its victims paralyzed. People of all ages may be affected, but the disease is more likely to affect adults and males. (Contributed)
The University of Alabama at Birmingham has been named a Center of Excellence by the GBS/CIDP Foundation International for the diagnosis and treatment of Guillain-Barré Syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and other inflammatory peripheral neuropathies. UAB becomes one of 44 global Centers of Excellence designated by the foundation.
In the quest to help patients who suffer from Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Dr. Eroboghene Ubogu leads UAB’s Division of Neuromuscular Disease, which treats adults at the Kirklin Clinic and children in conjunction with Children’s of Alabama. (UAB)
Guillain-Barré Syndrome is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, characterized by the rapid onset of numbness, weakness and often paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles and face. Paralysis is ascending, meaning that it travels up the limbs from fingers and toes toward the torso.
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy is a rare disorder of the peripheral nerves characterized by gradually increasing sensory loss and weakness associated with loss of reflexes.
CIDP is caused by damage to the covering of the nerves, called myelin. It can start at any age and is more frequent in men than women. Left untreated, 30 percent of CIDP patients will progress to wheelchair dependence. Early recognition and proper treatment can avoid a significant amount of disability.
UAB’s Division of Neuromuscular Disease, in the Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, treats patients with GBS/CIDP. Under the direction of director Eroboghene Ubogu, M.D., the division treats adults at the Kirklin Clinic and children in conjunction with Children’s of Alabama. Click here for more information on the Division of Neuromuscular Disease.
The GBS/CIDP Foundation International was founded in 1980 and boasts 35,000 members in 47 countries. The foundation funds research and works to improve access to care and global awareness of inflammatory peripheral neuropathies.
This story originally appeared on the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s UAB News website.
