Steve Bryson, PhD,  science writer—

The gut hormone GLP-1 may contribute to brain inflammation in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), leading to episodes of uncontrollable nausea, vomiting, or hiccups — a condition known as area postrema syndrome (APS), a new study suggests. These findings raise a crucial question about the use of…

Nearly all adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) experience headaches, especially migraines, a single-center study in Iran suggests. The presence of abnormalities in brain MRI scans and the use of the immunosuppressive therapy rituximab were each linked to an increased chance of new or worsening headaches after a…

Ultomiris (ravulizumab), an approved infusion therapy for adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), is closer to being eligible for reimbursement under public drug plans in Canada, according to its developer, Alexion, AstraZeneca Rare Disease. The company signed a letter of intent with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA).

Using noninvasive eye scans may help clinicians to determine if patients — particularly those in early disease stages — have neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) or multiple sclerosis (MS), both immune system disorders. That’s according to a review of published studies that together reveal that people with NMOSD…

Infection rates were consistently lower in adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMSOD) treated with Enspryng (satralizumab-mwge) over other immunosuppressive therapies, according to long-term data from clinical trials and real-world settings. “This analysis provides reassurance that the [Enspryng] safety profile observed in patients with NMOSD in a clinical…

Starting off-label treatment with tocilizumab after the first disease attack in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is more effective at reducing disability than switching to tocilizumab after other therapies fail to control the disease, a study shows. Still, the risk of relapse over three years remained the same regardless…

Self-reactive antibodies linked to other autoimmune diseases are more common in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) than in those with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), a related condition. In fact, the frequency of any other autoimmune disease was nearly six times higher in adults with NMOSD…

Enspryng (satralizumab-mwge) promotes an anti-inflammatory profile in plasmablasts, the immune cells that produce large amounts of the self-reactive antibodies that drive most cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). That’s according to a study analyzing immune cells from NMOSD patients before and after treatment with Enspryng, as well…

Higher levels of self-reactive antibodies against aquaporin-4 protein (AQP4), which drives neuroinflammation in most cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), correlate with more severe relapses and visual disability, according to a large study. Even after treatment with immunosuppressive agents, patients with high anti-AQP4 antibodies experienced more severe relapses.

Women with elevated blood levels of the sex hormone progesterone have an increased risk of developing neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a study that analyzed genetic variants associated with sex hormone levels. In a reverse analysis, having NMOSD appeared to lower testosterone and increase the sex hormone-binding…