Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Experts in Germany have published recommendations to help clinicians diagnose neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and distinguish it from other disorders with similar symptoms. The guidelines were detailed in “Update on the diagnosis and treatment of [neuromyelitis] optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) – revised recommendations of the…

Living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and resulting disability can make it hard to find and keep employment, according to a small U.S. study that nonetheless involved patients from more than a dozen states. Group discussions with 20 people with the rare autoimmune disease — of varying races…

A European Medicines Agency (EMA) committee has recommended that Ultomiris (ravulizumab) be approved to treat adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are positive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4). The recommendation, from the EMA’s Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP), will now be reviewed by the European…

Uplizna (inebilizumab) reduces the formation of asymptomatic lesions in the nerves that connect the eyes to the brain in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a new data analysis from the Phase 2/3 N-MOmentum trial. Asymptomatic, or subclinical, lesions are those that don’t lead to…

The annual prevalence of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in the U.S. is considerably higher than previously estimated, affecting about nine out of every 100,000 people, according to a study that analyzed 2021 electronic health records. The data also showed that the disease is more than twice as common…

Levels of double-stranded DNA — dubbed dsDNA — are elevated in the fluid around the brain and spinal cord of people with severe neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a small study suggests. These levels, which indicate cellular damage, may trigger more inflammation in NMOSD patients, potentially contributing to the…

The CAR T-cell therapy CT103A appears safe generally and may ease disability and improve the quality of life in adults with relapsed or refractory neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4), according to data from a small Phase 1 clinical trial. “In this…

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and related neurological conditions show reduced brain volume compared with individuals without such diseases, a new study highlights. The results indicate that rates of volume loss in the thalamus — a brain region that helps to relay motor and sensory signals —…

Among people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who started treatment with Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) in a clinical trial, an early and strong reduction in B-cell counts was associated with a quicker decline in disease activity. This report comes from an analysis of data from the Phase 2/3…

Treatment with Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) can reduce levels of antibodies that drive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), new clinical trial data show. The data also show that, among patients who aren’t on Uplizna, NMOSD attacks are often preceded by a sharp rise in levels of disease-driving antibodies and/or antibody-producing…