News

Certain variations in the ESR1 gene — a protein-coding gene for estrogen receptor-alpha — are significantly more common among women with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) or multiple sclerosis (MS) than among healthy women, a small study suggests. Such differences were not observed between men with these…

Ultomiris (ravulizumab) — Alexion Pharmaceuticals’ approved therapy for certain complement-associated disorders — prevents relapses in adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are positive for antibodies against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein. The therapy also helped preserve walking skills, with treated patients showing a markedly lower risk of experiencing clinically…

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…

Brain age gap (BAG) — the difference between calendar age and predicted brain age as determined by MRI scans — was significant in adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), and may predict disability in patients, a study found. The BAG was even greater in people with the related…

Neutrophils, a set of immune cells, from people with aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) are resistant to certain forms of cell death, a study found. NMOSD patients also had increased blood levels of molecules that might help neutrophils resist cell death pathways. Similar findings weren’t observed…

A signaling molecule called CXCL7 drives inflammation and nerve fiber damage in a mouse model of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a new study reports. The findings show that this signaling molecule “is a key factor in the formation of lesions in the brain, spinal cord, and retina,” the…

The incidence of pain in adults with neuromyelitis optic spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is high and was reported as the first sign of an inflammatory attack in half of patients, according to an examination of medical records. Neuropathic (nerve-related) pain, marked by uncomfortable burning or tingling, was the most common…

Rituximab may be effective for improving functionality in children with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) or other inflammatory neurological disorders, though more research is needed to identify optimal treatment regimens, a new study reports. “Efficacy of [rituximab] in specific indications and good tolerance are confirmed in pediatric neurology.

In rare cases, people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) can experience low blood levels of neutrophils, a type of immune cell, a few weeks after receiving anti-CD20 therapy. Researchers have reported the case of a NMOSD patient who developed the uncommon side effect, called late-onset neutropenia, four…

Optic nerve fiber damage is usually more severe in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) than with idiopathic optic neuritis, based on a clinical measure called visual evoked potential, a study shows. Results also suggest the recovery window after an acute NMOSD attack is shorter, highlighting the importance…