diagnosis

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…

The activity of an immune-regulating protein is significantly lower just before or during a relapse in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a recent study has found. This discovery could lead to new ways to monitor disease activity and develop treatments. The protein, called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor…

Using noninvasive eye scans may help clinicians to determine if patients — particularly those in early disease stages — have neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) or multiple sclerosis (MS), both immune system disorders. That’s according to a review of published studies that together reveal that people with NMOSD…

A new artificial intelligence (AI) model that analyzes images of the eye can help accurately identify neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study shows. The model outperformed specialists when relying solely on eye images. When clinical data such as MRI scans and antibody tests were provided, the model’s accuracy…

The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, a blood inflammatory marker that can be calculated based on the results of a simple blood test, may be used as a biomarker of disability severity in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a small study showed. Researchers identified four other ratios, calculated based on…

Blood levels of markers of brain cell damage may be used to distinguish between attack and remission periods in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients, but analysis of these blood biomarkers should be done at specific times to get the best accuracy. Those are the findings from a study…

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for self-reactive antibodies against the aquaporin 4 (AQP4) protein are more likely to be women, and have an earlier disease onset and more relapses than those who test negative. That’s according a single-center study in Argentina that also showed…

Selecting healthcare practitioners is a daunting task, especially when you’re diagnosed with a rare disease like neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). I visited several physiotherapists, massage therapists, and dietitians before settling on my current team. Through my experiences, I’ve discovered the key questions to ask up front to determine…

A predictive model based on laboratory and clinical risk factors for relapses in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) was found to accurately discriminate NMOSD patients experiencing a relapse within one year of diagnosis from those without a relapse, a study showed. The identified risk factors were numbers and ratios…

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have significantly higher levels of the signaling molecule CXCL13 in their blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord, a study shows. Also, CXCL13 levels were significantly associated with disability, with higher levels being detected in NMOSD…