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…
symptoms
When I felt the familiar heaviness in my body, I bravely faced it. “It’s OK,” I told myself. “I’ve been here before and recovered. I can do this.” As I lay in the hospital bed, a prisoner to the many doctors and specialists who checked on me throughout the day…
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…
Tonic spasms come on suddenly, last seconds to minutes, and feel like an eternity. They’re a painful and daily reality for many with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). And since my recent transverse myelitis (TM) attack, I’ve been experiencing them multiple times a day. These spasms cause intense…
Soliris (eculizumab) may help relieve symptoms during severe attacks in the acute phase of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) when other treatments are ineffective, according to a case series study from Japan. The study included five patients who had experienced severe NMOSD attacks that did not respond well…
Having to deal with my sixth major neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) attack is not how I wanted to end 2024 or start the new year. Unfortunately, it’s just my reality. What’s considered an attack? It’s when your symptoms hit a high point. For NMOSD patients, that may…
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…
During my recent family vacation, I made sure to take several mental pictures of the beach, sunrise, and calming blue skies. Over the past 15 years of living with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), I’ve found it important to incorporate complementary therapies such as visualization, which has gotten me…