News

AAN 2023: NMOSD antibodies seen in blood years before symptoms

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…

Guidelines to aid diagnosis of NMOSD published

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 effective in elderly NMOSD patients: Study

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, real-world data registry for NMOSD, enrolls 200 patients

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 in NMOSD may be more common than thought

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…

Ultomiris recommended for approval in Europe to treat NMOSD adults

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…

Bodily function problems found to impact quality of life in NMOSD

Symptoms related to the autonomic nervous system, which controls automatic bodily function, have a significant impact on the quality of life of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a questionnaire-based study. All patients in the study experienced some autonomic system-related symptoms, or autonomic dysfunction, and most…