Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

Brain, spinal cord shrinkage linked to distinct NMOSD outcomes: Study

Different patterns of shrinkage in the brain and spinal cord are associated with distinct clinical outcomes in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study reports. Findings suggest that NMOSD patients showing shrinkage, or atrophy, in outer brain regions are more likely to experience substantial physical disability and/or…

Shingles may be rare trigger for developing NMOSD: Case report

Shingles is caused by an infection of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), but in rare cases, it may trigger neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a new study reports. The study’s researchers said clinicians should look for possible signs of NMOSD in patients being treated for shingles, even though developing NMOSD…

Study finds altered gut bacteria in people with relapsing NMOSD

The composition of bacteria in the gut is altered in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients experiencing disease relapses compared with healthy people in the same household, a study reports. Following treatment, however, the gut bacterial profiles of NMOSD patients in remission resembled those of healthy people. “The…

Polyautoimmunity may raise relapse risk in NMOSD: Study

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) often have other co-occurring autoimmune diseases and those who do have a significantly higher risk of a relapse than people with NMOSD alone, a study in Portugal suggests. Long-term disability outcomes didn’t differ between the two groups, however, suggesting “appropriate treatment may…

Misdiagnoses common in patients with first symptoms in brainstem

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients whose first symptoms affect the brainstem, which is the bottommost part of the brain, are frequently misdiagnosed and experience higher rates of relapses, according to a two-center study in China. Data also showed about half of these patients initially experienced uncontrollable nausea, vomiting,…

Dynamics of CAR T-cell therapy in NMOSD shown in study

Immune T-cells of the CAR T-cell therapy CT103A are able to rapidly eliminate disease-driving immune cells and reduce immune cells’ overall inflammatory activity in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study shows. “This study is the first in-depth single-cell … analysis of multiple types of body fluids…

Study links NMOSD to increased type 2 diabetes risk

The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is more than 50% higher among people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) compared with matched people without the neurological condition, a study found. Results suggest that the risk of diabetes is particularly high in NMOSD patients who have receive treatment with…