Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder

Optic nerve enhancement can occur in some cases of NMOSD. This study analyzes its frequency, and what its consequences are for clinical trial design. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) can involve a variety of symptoms related to the optic nerve. Asymptomatic or persistent optic nerve enhancement is rare in cases of aquaporin-4-immunoglobulin G-positive (AQP4-IgG+) NMOSD....

Patients with NMOSD and MS can risk relapse after COVID-19 vaccination, but how significant is this risk compared to that of infection? Among patients with immune-mediated diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), COVID-19 vaccination and infection may result in increased activity. These cases of disease relapse tend to occur soon...

NMOSD can co-occur with other autoimmune conditions. This study compared clinical characteristics and treatment responses in NMOSD patients with and without co-occurring autoimmune conditions and identified predictors for each in a primarily Black cohort. Among patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), the co-occurrence of other autoimmune diseases results in worse clinical outcomes and higher...

NMOSD shares some similarities with MOGAD. This article explores the various ways that blood neutrophils behave in these two diseases. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) are both characterized by the presence of neutrophils in CNS lesions. It has been previously shown that NMOSD neutrophils show functional deficiencies. This...

Patients with multiple sclerosis or NMOSD may have more complications with the COVID-19 vaccination when compared to the general population. Although vaccination against COVID-19 provides excellent protection against severe infection, this effect may be mitigated to some degree among those taking immunomodulatory medications, including those with multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD). This...

IL-6 levels have been found to correlate with other autoimmune conditions, and this study provides some evidence that it is also a biomarker of NMOSD disease activity. Currently, there are no widely accepted soluble markers for disease progression or activity of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). This article, published in the Journal of Neuroimmunology, analyzed...

Patients with NMOSD have increased COVID-19 risks, as determined by this meta-analysis. Individual susceptibility to COVID-19, as well as the ultimate outcome of the disease, can vary widely depending on comorbidities. This study, published in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders, sought to determine the clinical features of COVID-19 in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder...

Inebilizumab, a newly approved medication for NMOSD, is determined to be effective at limiting relapses. However, there are some limitations regarding which patients may benefit. Among patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a significant percentage are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody seropositive. Inebilizumab is a monoclonal antibody treatment that targets the B cell antigen CD19 in...

Rituximab can help patients with NMOSD, but its mechanism is not fully understood. This article explores one possible hypothesis. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are autoimmune conditions caused by immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibodies directed against the water channel aquaporin-4. Among patients with NMOSD, clinical relapses tend to lead to disability. Relapses can be prevented by...