Neuromyelitis Optica

Author(s):  
Aaron E. Miller ◽  
Teresa M. DeAngelis

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a chronic inflammatory, demyelinating autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system with a predilection for the optic nerves and spinal cord, has long been confused with classical multiple sclerosis. In this chapter, we review the important clinical and radiographic distinctions of NMO and NMO spectrum disorders, and summarize promising new concepts in pathophysiology and therapeutic approaches.

Author(s):  
Teri L. Schreiner ◽  
Jeffrey L. Bennett

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), or Devic’s disease is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system that preferentially affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. Initially considered a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS), NMO is now clearly recognized to have distinct clinical, radiographic, and pathologic characteristics. Historically, the diagnosis of NMO required bilateral optic neuritis and transverse myelitis; however, the identification of a specific biomarker, NMO-IgG, an autoantibody against the aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel, has broadened NMO spectrum disease to include patients with diverse clinical and radiographic presentations. This chapter addresses the diagnosis, pathophysiology, and management of the disease.


2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 164-170
Author(s):  
Rachel Gottlieb-Smith ◽  
Amy Waldman

AbstractAcquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) present with acute or subacute monofocal or polyfocal neurologic deficits localizing to the central nervous system. The clinical features of distinct ADS have been carefully characterized including optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. These disorders may all be monophasic disorders. Alternatively, optic neuritis, partial transverse myelitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis may be first presentations of a relapsing or polyphasic neuroinflammatory disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica. The clinical features of these disorders and the differential diagnosis are discussed in this article.


Author(s):  
Laura Piccio ◽  
Anne H. Cross

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered to be an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that targets myelin but affects both white matter and gray matter. Multiple sclerosis is thought to be mediated by cells of the adaptive and innate immune systems. CD4+ T lymphocytes of the Th1 and Th17 subtypes are believed to be critical for the initiation of multiple sclerosis. Treatment with monoclonal antibodies that deplete B lymphocytes has proven that B cells are critical to relapse development in multiple sclerosis. While immunopathophysiology is clearly important in MS, whether multiple sclerosis is truly an autoimmune disorder and the target or targets of the autoimmunity remain unknown.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Genaro G. Ortiz ◽  
Fermín P. Pacheco-Moisés ◽  
Oscar K. Bitzer-Quintero ◽  
Ana C. Ramírez-Anguiano ◽  
Luis J. Flores-Alvarado ◽  
...  

Multiple sclerosis (MS) exhibits many of the hallmarks of an inflammatory autoimmune disorder including breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the recruitment of lymphocytes, microglia, and macrophages to lesion sites, the presence of multiple lesions, generally being more pronounced in the brain stem and spinal cord, the predominantly perivascular location of lesions, the temporal maturation of lesions from inflammation through demyelination, to gliosis and partial remyelination, and the presence of immunoglobulin in the central nervous system and cerebrospinal fluid. Lymphocytes activated in the periphery infiltrate the central nervous system to trigger a local immune response that ultimately damages myelin and axons. Pro-inflammatory cytokines amplify the inflammatory cascade by compromising the BBB, recruiting immune cells from the periphery, and activating resident microglia. inflammation-associated oxidative burst in activated microglia and macrophages plays an important role in the demyelination and free radical-mediated tissue injury in the pathogenesis of MS. The inflammatory environment in demyelinating lesions leads to the generation of oxygen- and nitrogen-free radicals as well as proinflammatory cytokines which contribute to the development and progression of the disease. Inflammation can lead to oxidative stress and vice versa. Thus, oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in a self-perpetuating cycle.


2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 964-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasitorn Siritho ◽  
Douglas K Sato ◽  
Kimihiko Kaneko ◽  
Kazuo Fujihara ◽  
Naraporn Prayoonwiwat

Background: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (anti-MOG) antibody was reported in anti-aquaporin-4 (anti-AQP4) seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) patients. Objectives: To describe clinical phenotypes associated with anti-MOG. Methods: Seventy consecutive Thai patients with inflammatory idiopathic demyelinating central nervous system disorders (IIDCD) who were previously anti-AQP4 seronegative were tested for anti-MOG. Results: Anti-MOG was positive in six patients, representing 20.7% of the IIDCD anti-AQP4 seronegative patients with a non-multiple sclerosis phenotype, and most had relapses. All first presented with optic neuritis with good visual recovery after treatment. Conclusions: Anti-MOG positive patients may have manifestations that mimic NMOSD but differ in their course and prognosis from anti-AQP4 positive NMOSD.


Author(s):  
Amirhossein Azari Jafari ◽  
Seyyedmohammadsadeq Mirmoeeni

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS), caused by genetic and environmental factors. It is characterized by intermittent and recurrent episodes of inflammation that result in the demyelination and subsequent damage of the underlying axons present in the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord [1][2][3].


2019 ◽  
pp. 109-129
Author(s):  
A. Sebastian López-Chiriboga ◽  
Brian G. Weinshenker

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, traditionally diagnosed in patients with inflammatory attacks restricted to the optic nerves and spinal cord. The chapter considers the epidemiology, pathophysiology and immunopathogenesis of NMOSD. The clinical presentation and radiographic features are reviewed and the prognosis of patients with NMOSD is considered. The mortality and morbidity of untreated NMOSD is much greater than those of MS. Treatment options are summarized and finally future prospects of research are considered.


2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (7) ◽  
pp. 843-847 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Kremer ◽  
M Mealy ◽  
A Jacob ◽  
I Nakashima ◽  
P Cabre ◽  
...  

Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe autoimmune disease of the central nervous system characterized by spinal cord and optic nerve involvement. Brainstem manifestations have recently been described. Objective: To evaluate the time of occurrence, the frequency and the characteristics of brainstem symptoms in a cohort of patients with NMO according to the ethnic background and the serologic status for anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies (AQP4-abs). Methods: We performed a multicenter study of 258 patients with NMO according to the 2006 Wingerchuk criteria and we evaluated prospectively the frequency, the date of onset and the duration of various brainstem signs in this population. Results: Brainstem signs were observed in 81 patients (31.4%). The most frequently observed signs were vomiting (33.1%), hiccups (22.3%), oculomotor dysfunction (19.8%), pruritus (12.4%), followed by hearing loss (2.5%), facial palsy (2.5%), vertigo or vestibular ataxia (1.7%), trigeminal neuralgia (2.5%) and other cranial nerve signs (3.3%). They were inaugural in 44 patients (54.3%). The prevalence was higher in the non-Caucasian population (36.6%) than in the Caucasian population (26%) ( p<0.05) and was higher in AQP4-ab-seropositive patients (32.7%) than in seronegative patients (26%) (not significant). Conclusions: This study confirms the high frequency of brainstem symptoms in NMO with a majority of vomiting and hiccups. The prevalence of these manifestations was higher in the non Caucasian population.


Author(s):  
Chao Liu ◽  
Guansan Wang ◽  
Hong Liu ◽  
Yue Li ◽  
Jin Li ◽  
...  

Background:Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system with complex pathogeneses. NMO was once considered to be a severe variant of MS. There has been more evidence that a non-synonymous exchange (rs763361/Gly307Ser) in the gene for CD226 is linked to several autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS). However, no studies have investigated the role of rs763361 in the pathogenesis of NMO.Objectives:The goal of our study is to evaluate the role of CD226 Gly307Ser in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in Southern Han Chinese.Methods:Eight-nine NMO patients, 93 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients, and 122 controls (CTLs) were enrolled. The rs763361 alleles of the subjects were determined by sequencing-based typing.Results:The results strongly support that the TT genotypes are associated with NMO but are not significantly correlated with susceptibility for MS.Conclusions:CD226 Gly307Ser may correlate with risk of NMO in Southern Han Chinese.


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