For a rare group of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients who test negative for two self-reactive antibodies, being older than 32 at disease onset may increase the risk of relapses, a study found. In contrast, spinal cord involvement, with or without optic nerve inflammation, at disease onset was…
diagnosis
Measuring the blood levels of natural killer (NK) cells, a type of immune cell, may serve as a diagnostic biomarker for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study showed. Blood tests consistently showed significantly lower NK cell proportions and counts in NMOSD patients than in healthy individuals and in…
A specific set of immune-related genes is significantly more active in the blood of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), potentially offering a new diagnostic approach for the rare disease. A study in Iran found that seven genes involved in a major inflammatory pathway, called nuclear factor kappa…
Why does it seem like every Google search I do regarding my health blames my weakened immune system for whatever is happening on a particular day? Take, for example, one simple question I innocently asked: “Why are my feet so dry?” Suddenly, I was knee-deep in results suggesting I was…
People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who are negative for typical disease-driving antibodies show several differences in clinical features compared with antibody-positive NMOSD patients, but responses to conventional treatments seem largely comparable, according to a new study. “Our findings support the utility of conventional [immune-suppressing treatments] in this…
People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have significantly higher levels of chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT1), a protein involved in immune and inflammatory responses, in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, a study shows. CSF CHIT1 levels were also significantly associated with NMOSD activity and severity.
People testing negative for self-reactive antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4-IgGs) — the type of antibody most commonly linked to neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) — rarely become positive for these antibodies on subsequent tests. These are the findings of a real-world study in the U.S. involving 451 people suspected of…
One of my greatest fears has come to fruition. Last week, my daughter was diagnosed with vitiligo, a disorder that causes the body’s immune system to attack skin cells that produce melanin, causing the skin to lose its color. Upon hearing the diagnosis, I felt the air leave my lungs,…
Higher blood levels of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) are significantly associated with shrinkage in certain brain regions of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who have antibodies against the AQP4 protein, a study showed. This association was not observed in people with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated…
A blood test measuring levels of the GPR37 protein may help diagnose neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), assess disease severity, and monitor treatment response, according to a new study. The GPR37 test was also able to distinguish NMOSD from multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological disorders. “Our findings…
Recent Posts
- 2 approved treatments for NMOSD may work better than off-label one
- It’s important to realize when the caregiver needs care
- MRI scan of waste system in brain may track NMOSD severity, progression
- My mom’s example of strength still guides me in life with NMOSD
- Short course of approved drug effective for treatment-resistant NMOSD