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…

Cedars-Sinai was designated a Center of Excellence in Rare Neuroimmune Disorders due to its efforts at advancing care and research for rare immune-mediated diseases of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and optic nerve), such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). The designation was awarded by the patient advocacy…

People who are Asian or Pacific Islander and Black are more likely to have neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and test positive for self-reactive antibodies against aquaporin-4 (AQP4) than white people, a U.S.-based study suggests. The prevalence of anti-AQP4 antibody-positive NMOSD was also higher among women and Hispanic people.

BAT4406F, an experimental treatment in the pipeline of Bio-Thera Solutions, reduced the number of circulating immune B-cells that produce disease-causing antibodies in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), translating into less disability for a small group of Chinese patients. That’s according to data from a Phase 1 clinical…

Self-reactive antibodies linked to other autoimmune diseases are more common in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) than in those with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), a related condition. In fact, the frequency of any other autoimmune disease was nearly six times higher in adults with NMOSD…

Shingles is caused by an infection of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), but in rare cases, it may trigger neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), a new study reports. The study’s researchers said clinicians should look for possible signs of NMOSD in patients being treated for shingles, even though developing NMOSD…

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who test positive for NMOSD-driving self-reactive antibodies against the AQP4 protein and Black patients are significantly more likely to have worse disability related to vision. These are the findings of a North American study that analyzed patient data with NMOSD-specific disability scales…

Children with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who live in disadvantaged socioeconomic neighborhoods are more likely to have more severe disease-related disabilities, a study in the U.S. indicates. Two years after a diagnosis, Black pediatric patients had significantly more severe disability, as assessed with the standard Expanded Disability Status…

Having a rare disease such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), especially when it’s an invisible disease, is like being a double agent. While some people in my life know about my health challenges, I don’t broadcast them to everyone. In such cases, withholding my NMOSD thus becomes a…

Experiencing attacks marked by transverse myelitis, or spinal cord inflammation, significantly increases the chance of worse disability in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients and the related condition myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). Those are the findings of a study analyzing data from a Portuguese national…