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As many as half of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) experience depression, anxiety, and/or sleep problems, according to a new meta-analysis of published studies. Moreover, these symptoms were more frequent among NMOSD patients than in the general population. “There is a high prevalence of depression, anxiety, and…

Blood levels of prolactin, a hormone mostly known for its role in milk production, are significantly elevated in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) as compared with healthy adults, a study found. Among NMOSD patients, these high prolactin levels were significantly associated with active disease, sensory-related symptoms, and…

Ultomiris (ravulizumab) is now approved in Canada to treat adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are positive for antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4). According to a press release from Alexion Canada, which will market Ultomiris in the country, it’s the “first and only” long-acting therapy…

Uplizna (inebilizumab) prevented disease attacks for people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) regardless of whether they had a genetic variant in the FCGR3A gene that’s associated with reduced efficacy of rituximab, a therapy commonly used off-label for NMOSD. That’s according to additional data analyses from the Phase…

Soliris (eculizumab) has been approved in China to treat adults with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, known as NMO or NMOSD, who test positive for antibodies against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) protein. The therapy — which works to reduce the risk of relapse and ease inflammation among patients — was approved…

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) experience faster disability progression with fewer attacks than those with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), a related condition, according to a long-term analysis of German registry data. Notably, in all patients, experiencing inflammation in the optic nerve, which transmits signals between…

Nearly 1 in 5 people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) experience early neurological symptoms prior to their first established NMOSD attack, new research suggests. These symptoms could represent an NMOSD prodrome, a disease stage where nonspecific symptoms emerge before the classic manifestations of the disease. A better…

Problems in the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which regulates involuntary bodily processes such as heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion, are very frequent among people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study has shown. All 80 NMOSD patients in the study experienced ANS-related symptoms, and a greater burden…

The clinical symptoms of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in people in their 50s or older may look like those of a stroke — which can delay proper diagnosis and treatment of the the progressive autoimmune disorder, according to a case report and systematic literature review. That’s what happened…

People with a genetic makeup that causes them to be more susceptible to COVID-19 are nearly five times as likely to develop neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) associated with antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4), a study finds. Evidence for a cause and effect, or causal, link between COVID-19 and NMOSD…