Marta Figueiredo, PhD, Managing Science Editor —

A vision test using a 2.5%-contrast letter chart is more effective than the conventional 100%-contrast chart at detecting previous episodes of optic neuritis, an eye condition that is often the first symptom of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study shows. Results, drawn from responses in unaffected people and those…

Aeterna Zentaris GmbH has acquired exclusive global rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize highly-specific, autoimmune modifying proteins for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The company, a subsidiary of Aeterna Zentaris, reached an agreement with Julius-Maximilians-University Wuerzburg (JMU), in Germany, which developed the technology, called AIM Biologicals.

CorEvitas and the Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation (GJCF) announced plans to launch a registry study for people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Called SPHERES — which stands for Synergy of Prospective Health & Experimental Research for Emerging Solutions in NMOSD — the observational study is expected to…

The first three months after giving birth are a particularly high-risk time for developing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and for experiencing relapses when the disease is already established, an expert emphasized in a recent webinar hosted by the The Sumaira Foundation for NMO. The pregnancy-focused webinar featured…

Long-term treatment with Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) is safe and sustainably reduces the frequency of attacks in adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to four-year data from the N-MOmentum Phase 2/3 clinical trial. Notably, these benefits also were observed among patients who previously received rituximab, an immunosuppressive therapy often…

People with rare disorders have a worse healthcare experience than those affected by chronic diseases, according to the results of an international survey conducted by Eurordis-Rare Diseases Europe. Indeed, rare disease patients overall give their healthcare experience a medium-low rating, of 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5,…

Experiencing disease relapses after receiving a placebo in a clinical trial may change the perception of health in participants with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and lead to an underestimation of the disease’s impact on quality of life, a study shows. This effect — known as “response shift” —…