News

High-efficacy treatments for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are associated with significant reductions in hospitalizations, relapses, and MRI lesions relative to traditional therapies, according to a recent study. The findings, which were published in the Journal of Neurology, were discussed in an oral presentation at the American…

Antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) are detectable in the blood several years before symptoms occur in most people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a U.S. study. Tammy Smith, MD, PhD, of the University of Utah, presented the findings at the recent American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual…

Up to 4.6 years of treatment with Enspryng (satralizumab) continues to safely reduce relapse rates and prevent disability progression for people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are positive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4). That’s according to pooled data from the Phase 3 SAkuraSky (NCT02028884) and…

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…

Plasma exchange, a blood-cleaning procedure, is safe and helps to ease symptoms in elderly people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), despite the presence of other health conditions. That finding is from a Chinese study that assessed the safety and efficacy of plasma exchange in elderly NMOSD patients (older…

SPHERES, a real-world registry designed to better understand neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) — its underlying mechanisms, clinical course, and treatment effects — has reached a milestone of 200 enrolled patients. Standing for Synergy of Prospective Health & Experimental Research for Emerging Solutions in NMOSD, the SPHERES…

Familial clustering of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) — having more cases within families than what would be expected — is more common than originally thought. That’s according to a new study whose findings highlight a complex genetic predisposition to the progressive autoimmune disease. Certain DNA variants were shared…

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…

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) may begin to manifest as uncontrollable nausea, vomiting, or hiccups — a condition referred to as area postrema syndrome (APS) — as described in a report of four patients in China. Because these symptoms can overlap with those of other diseases, their occurrence…

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…