Margarida Maia, PhD,  science writer—

Margarida is a biochemist (University of Porto, Portugal) with a PhD in biomedical sciences (VIB and KULeuven, Belgium). Her main interest is science communication. She is also passionate about design and the dialogue between art and science.

Articles by Margarida Maia

NMOSD among autoimmune disease risk factors: Study

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are at a nine times higher risk of developing autoimmune rheumatic diseases, or those affecting the joints, muscles, or connective tissue, a South Korean study found. Connective tissue provides support, connection, and binding for tissues and organs. The findings align with a…

Rituximab, MMF may be effective off-label options for NMOSD: Study

Rituximab and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) may be the most effective off-label options for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients who are unable to access approved therapies, often due to high costs or limited availability, according to a study in China. The study compared the safety and efficacy of four immunosuppressive…

Enspryng helps patients remain relapse-free after 6 months: Study

Treatment with Enspryng (satralizumab) allows nearly all neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients to remain free of relapses after six months, with many reducing their use of corticosteroids and other immunosuppressants. Nearly one-third of patients were able to stop corticosteroids, which can cause serious side effects when used…

Blood cell ratio may be biomarker of NMOSD disability: Study

The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, a blood inflammatory marker that can be calculated based on the results of a simple blood test, may be used as a biomarker of disability severity in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a small study showed. Researchers identified four other ratios, calculated based on…

Anti-AQP4 antibodies tied to earlier NMOSD onset, more relapses

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for self-reactive antibodies against the aquaporin 4 (AQP4) protein are more likely to be women, and have an earlier disease onset and more relapses than those who test negative. That’s according a single-center study in Argentina that also showed…

New predictive model for NMOSD relapses found accurate in study

A predictive model based on laboratory and clinical risk factors for relapses in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) was found to accurately discriminate NMOSD patients experiencing a relapse within one year of diagnosis from those without a relapse, a study showed. The identified risk factors were numbers and ratios…

Blood, CSF levels of CXCL13 may be biomarker of NMOSD disability

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have significantly higher levels of the signaling molecule CXCL13 in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, a study shows. Also, CXCL13 levels were significantly associated with disability, with higher levels being detected in NMOSD…

NMOSD test therapy BAT4406F depletes B-cells, eases disability

BAT4406F, an experimental treatment in the pipeline of Bio-Thera Solutions, reduced the number of circulating immune B-cells that produce disease-causing antibodies in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), translating into less disability for a small group of Chinese patients. That’s according to data from a Phase 1 clinical…

Early immunosuppressive therapy better in AQP4-positive NMOSD

Early use of immunosuppressive therapy — when compared with a later treatment start — was associated with fewer relapses and reduced disability among neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients with self-reactive antibodies against the AQP4 protein, a study from China showed. The data demonstrated a time-dependent treatment efficacy, with…

Seaweed preparation GV-971 slows progression of NMOSD in mice

A seaweed-derived preparation named GV-971 (sodium oligomannate) that has anti-inflammatory effects through the gut-brain axis, delayed the onset and progression of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in mouse models of the disease, a study shows. The preparation developed by Green Valley Pharmaceuticals is approved in China as an…