relapses

Tocilizumab, an anti-inflammatory medication used off-label for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), can help prevent relapses (flare-ups) and ease disability while being generally safe, according to a meta-analysis. The study, “Tocilizumab treatment in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: Updated meta-analysis of efficacy and safety,” was published in the journal…

Nearly two in 10 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients develop new asymptomatic brain and spinal cord lesions during the period of disease remission, but these do not appear to increase risk of relapse, according to a study in Argentina. Asymptomatic, or silent, lesions are those that can be…

The presence of certain self-reactive antibodies called antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in the blood is associated with worse disability and more severe relapses in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), according to a study from China. “Our results suggest that ANA seems to be more associated with severe disease…

People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) who experience relapses are three times more likely to change their treatment regimen than those who have no relapses, a study found. Researchers also observed that people who experienced optic neuritis with or without brain symptoms, those with shorter disease duration, and…

Summer is one of my favorite times of the year. The days are longer, the adventures seem endless, and the smell of barbecue, flowers, and freshly cut grass fill the air. However, high temperatures during the summer, especially in tropical climates, can pose a challenge for those with neuromyelitis…