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…

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…

Patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) or multiple sclerosis (MS), another disease that damages the protective myelin sheaths around nerve cells, are at higher risk than healthy individuals of also developing Parkinson’s disease (PD), a South Korean study found. The study, “Risk of Parkinson’s disease…

Key players in B-cell signaling pathways and related inflammatory molecules were elevated in the blood of people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) compared with healthy people, a study found. The findings suggest that targeting this signaling pathway could show therapeutic promise in NMOSD, the researchers noted. The study,…

A system that stages neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) based on damage to astrocytes — the specific brain cells that are attacked in NMOSD — was recently developed by a team of researchers in Japan. While more work is needed, the system identifies four stages, largely based on astrocytopathy…

Examining the thickness of certain retinal layers in the eye, along with structural changes in the eyes’ blood vessels, can help differentiate neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) from multiple sclerosis (MS), a study found. Overall, two particular retinal layers — the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer…

A vision test using a 2.5%-contrast letter chart is more effective than the conventional 100%-contrast chart at detecting previous episodes of optic neuritis, an eye condition that is often the first symptom of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a study shows. Results, drawn from responses in unaffected people and those…

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have similar knowledge and attitudes about COVID-19 as the overall population, an Iranian study suggests. The findings highlight several areas where better education about COVID-19 is warranted, the researchers wrote. Their study, “Assessment of mental health, knowledge, and attitude…