Ofatumumab, a medication approved for multiple sclerosis (MS), may effectively prevent relapses and disability in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a study in China. At their last follow-up, about 80% of the 112 patients analyzed were free from relapses, and more than 60% experienced significant reductions…
People testing negative for self-reactive antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgGs) — the type of antibody most commonly linked to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) — rarely become positive for these antibodies on subsequent tests. These are the findings of a real-world study in the U.S. involving 451 people suspected of…
Higher blood levels of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) are significantly associated with shrinkage in certain brain regions of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who have antibodies against the AQP4 protein, a study showed. This association was not observed in people with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated…
More than one-third of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have involuntary muscle contractions or movements, while about one-quarter develop a lack of motor coordination. That’s according to a systematic review of nearly 100 published studies, which found that individuals with NMOSD may experience a wide range of…
The activity of an immune-regulating protein is significantly lower just before or during a relapse in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a recent study has found. This discovery could lead to new ways to monitor disease activity and develop treatments. The protein, called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor…
Long-term use of the approved therapy Enspryng (satralizumab) safely and effectively prevented relapses in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who have antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4). That’s according to up to 8.8 years of pooled data from two placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trials — SAkuraStar (NCT02073279) and …
Smoking is associated with a significantly higher risk of residual disability from onset attack in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients with antibodies against the AQP4 protein, a new study showed. Similar results were seen for the presence of nonsmoking vascular risk factors (VRF) such as high blood pressure,…
Switching from Soliris (eculizumab) to Enspryng (satralizumab) is a safe and effective approach for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients testing positive for antibodies against the AQP4 protein. That’s according to data from five patients in the U.S. who switched treatments due to either preference for route…
Children with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who live in disadvantaged socioeconomic neighborhoods are more likely to have more severe disease-related disabilities, a study in the U.S. indicates. Two years after a diagnosis, Black pediatric patients had significantly more severe disability, as assessed with the standard Expanded Disability Status…
Maintenance treatment with rituximab significantly reduced the number of relapses per year in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and it remained effective after patients experienced relapses, according to a study from China. Relapses more frequently occurred within the first year after rituximab initiation, and their frequency decreased…
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