Guillain-Barre Syndrome: From Diagnosis to Recovery
The definitive patient guide to Guillain-Barre syndrome and its variants, including acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), written by two leading neurologists for patients and families. Covers diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and the full arc of recovery.
About This Book
Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) encompasses a group of rare disorders in which the immune system attacks the peripheral nervous system. Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) is one recognized subtype, in which the immune attack targets motor nerve axons directly rather than the protective myelin sheath. This book provides one of the most thorough and accessible patient-facing explanations of the full GBS spectrum available in print.
Authors Gareth J. Parry, a professor of neurology at the University of Minnesota, and Joel S. Steinberg, medical director and a longtime officer of the GBS/CIDP Foundation International, wrote this book specifically for patients and family members. It covers initial symptoms, the diagnostic process, available treatments including intravenous immunoglobulin and plasma exchange, and what patients can realistically expect during recovery.
A key strength of the book is its attention to the emotional and psychological dimensions of the illness. GBS and AMAN can progress rapidly, sometimes landing patients in intensive care within days of symptom onset. The authors address the anxiety and grief that accompany this kind of sudden, severe disability, and provide guidance on navigating rehabilitation and returning to daily life.
Published as part of the American Academy of Neurology Press Quality of Life Guide series, the book reflects the rigorous standards of a leading neurology organization while remaining genuinely readable for non-specialists. It remains the gold-standard patient guide for GBS and its variants, including AMAN.
Our Review
For patients and caregivers confronting AMAN or any GBS variant, this book is the first one to read. The Parry and Steinberg text is clear, authoritative, and compassionate, providing the kind of grounded, evidence-based information that helps patients feel less adrift during a frightening and disorienting illness. The coverage of recovery timelines and variability is especially helpful, as many patients are not warned that improvement can be slow and uneven.
Though published in 2007, the core clinical information about GBS and AMAN remains accurate and relevant. Readers wanting the most current treatment developments may want to supplement with newer resources, but as a foundation for understanding this disease and navigating the healthcare system, this book has not been surpassed.