The NeurologyLive® NMOSD Disease Spotlight page offers specific updates and coverage on the latest expert conversations and data readouts related to the treatment and management of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
International Panel of Experts Proposes New Diagnostic Criteria for MOG Antibody Associated Disease
January 26th 2023The new criteria, inclusive of both pediatric and adult patients, advocates for testing for MOG-IgG in appropriate populations, and cautions against testing patients with clinical and radiological features typical of multiple sclerosis.
Argentinean-Based Study Highlights International Barriers to Access and Utilization of NMOSD Care
January 26th 2023Data showed that slightly more than half of the patients with NMOSD visited at least 2 neurologists before receiving full diagnosis, and less than 30% reported they were aware of at least 1 nearby specialized NMOSD center.
Building the Biomarker Panel in Neurology: Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
December 9th 2022As the treatment paradigm for neurologic diseases rapidly progresses, the need for more thorough biomarker tools to measure disease progression and severity has increased, and in recent years, GFAP has emerged as a valuable candidate to add to the existing panel.
Treating NMOSD Early in the Disease Course: Inebilizumab’s Efficacy in N-MOmentum
November 26th 2022Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, FAAN, offered his perspective on data from the phase 2/3 N-MOmentum trial of the recently approved inebilizumab (Uplizna; Horizon Therapeutics) and why the therapy stands out from other NMOSD treatments.
The Sumaira Foundation Providing Access to Care for Patients with NMOSD: Sumaira Ahmed
November 13th 2022The founder and executive director of the Sumaira Foundation discussed her experience living with NMOSD and the global organization she created to help patients with the same condition. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]
Critical Aspects of Treatment During Postpartum in Patients with MS, NMOSD: Riley Bove, MD
November 3rd 2022The associate professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, discussed the key points from an oral presentation at ECTRIMS 2022 on understanding postpartum for patients with MS and NMOSD. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Emerging Biomarkers to Consider for NMOSD, Neuromyeltis Optica: Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, FAAN
November 3rd 2022The clinical research director of the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center discussed the need for measures of progression in neuromyelitis optica and the next steps in treatment. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Positive Safety Profile of Anti-CD20 Therapy During Postpartum in MS, NMOSD: Riley Bove, MD
November 2nd 2022The associate professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, discussed takeaways from an oral presentation at ECTRIMS 2022 on the use of anti-CD20 therapies in postpartum for patients with MS and NMOSD. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]
Early Use of Immunosuppressives May Reduce Pregnancy-Related NMOSD Attacks
October 13th 2022Annualized relapse rates were elevated compared with the prepregnancy period, especially during the initial 3 months after delivery, whereas EDSS scores worsened during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Total N-Acetylaspartate Different Across Antibody-Negative Overlapping Multiple Sclerosis, NMOSD
October 8th 2022Using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, investigators observed significantly different levels of total NAA across MS and NMOSD subtypes, and a negative correlation between total NAA and disability score.
Rituximab Displays Superiority to Azathioprine, Mycophenolate Mofetil as Initial NMOSD Treatment
September 13th 2022Among a cohort of more than 300 patients in China, those with APQ4 positive NMOSD reported a significantly lower risk of relapse among those treated with rituximab compared with the other groups.
Germinal Center Activity Shows Potential As Target of Rituximab in NMOSD
August 17th 2022Data assessing samples of deep cervical lymph node aspirates and blood suggest that germinal center activity was associated with clinical relapses in individuals with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
Long-term Immunosuppression Treatment Is Suitable for Patients With NMOSD
August 16th 2022Data suggest that long-term treatment with immunosuppression therapies, such as rituximab, is generally appropriate for patients with neuromyelitis optica, though transverse myelitis might indicate a higher risk of relapse post discontinuation.
Cerebrospinal GFAP Levels in Double-Seronegative NMOSD Indicate Different Pathology
July 19th 2022Using rigorous cell-based assays, cerebrospinal fluid GFAP levels were significantly lower in double-seronegative NMOSD than AQP4-positive NMOSD but did not differ between those with MOGAD or other neurological diseases.
Technological Advancements Improving, Expanding Capabilities of Antibody Testing: Sean Pittock, MD
July 17th 2022The director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology discussed the technological capabilities the center has, including the improved use of neural antibody testing. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]
Presence of MOG-IgG in Children Meeting MS Criteria May Allude to Nontypical Disease Course
July 5th 2022All 12 of the children met diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis and were seropositive for MOG-IgG at baseline experienced a disease course different than typical MS through the observed time.
Distinguishing and Diagnosing Various Presentations of Autoimmune Encephalitis: Sean Pittock, MD
July 5th 2022The director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology discussed the complexities in diagnosing autoimmune encephalitis and the approach needed to be taken. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]
Outlining the Clinical and Radiological Features of NMOSD, MOGAD
December 18th 2021Amy Kunchok, MD, staff neurologist at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Research at Cleveland Clinic, discussed a recent talk she gave that highlighted the different phenotypes of AQP-IgG NMOSD and MOGAD.
Clinical, Radiological Features of NMOSD and MOGAD: Amy Kunchok, MD
December 16th 2021The staff neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis outlined key findings from her talk at a recent Institutional Perspectives in Neurology: Multiple Sclerosis event. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]
New Remission Lesions Rare, May Indicate Relapse in MOGAD, AQP4-NMOSD
December 11th 2021Results from the cohort study contrast with reports in multiple sclerosis, finding that new remission silent lesions were rare in both myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody disease and aquaporin-4 antibody neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
B-Cell Depletion and Long-Term Outcomes in NMOSD With Inebilizumab: Jeffrey Bennett, MD, PhD
December 1st 2021The professor of neurology at the University of Colorado provided insight on the data that reinforced the relationship between B-cell depletion and improved outcomes using inebilizumab (Uplizna; Horizon Therapeutics). [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]
Outer Retinal Layer Thinning Non-Factor in Retinal Damage of AQP4-IgG NMOSD
November 4th 2021Repeated analyses using both 3-mm and 1-mm diameter macular data—narrower volumes than standard—showed no relevant outer plexiform layer or outer nuclear layer thinning in those with seropositive AQP4-IgG.
New Sponsors, Potential Development in NMOSD: Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, FAAN
October 24th 2021Following the approval of 3 treatments for the disease, the clinical research director of the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center commented on the implications for the clinical development pipeline. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Eculizumab Shows Better Prolonging of Time to NMOSD Relapse Than Other Treatments
October 17th 2021An indirect comparison study evaluated relative treatment effects of eculizumab (Soliris; Alexion), inebilizumab (Uplizna; Horizon), and satralizumab (Enspryng; Genentech), the 3 FDA-approved options for NMOSD.
Patient Education and Awareness in NMOSD: Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, FAAN
October 13th 2021The clinical research director of the USCF Multiple Sclerosis Center discussed the importance of improving knowledge and education for patients with NMOSD, as well as strategies to do so. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]
Day-to-Day Care of NMOSD, Advances and Challenges: Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, FAAN
October 12th 2021Discussing the 3 FDA-approved treatments for NMOSD, the clinical research director of the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center commented on the positive impact, as well as resultant barriers to care. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Understanding Disadvantages to African Americans in NMOSD Trials: Evanthia Bernitsas, MD
October 12th 2021The neurologist at Wayne State University provided background on why there needs to be a continued focus on including and studying African American patients with NMOSD in trials. [WATCH TIME 3 minutes]
Recent Advances and New Therapies for NMOSD: Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, FAAN
October 11th 2021The clinical research director of the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center provided an overview on the state of care for NMOSD, specifically the development of inebilizumab, satralizumab, and eculizumab. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]
Inebilizumab’s Efficacy in African Americans With NMOSD: Evanthia Bernitsas, MD
October 5th 2021The neurologist at Wayne State University School of Medicine discussed recently published data describing inebilizumab’s role in producing rapid and sustained B-cell depletion in African Americans with NMOSD [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
NMOSD Attack Characteristics and Outcomes Classified by Phenotype, Treatment Option
September 24th 2021The findings identified Th2-related cytokines as characterizing for the prognosis of acute episodes of NMOSD at 1 month and found serum NfL to be a likely biomarker of disease severity at attack.
The Status of NMOSD Patient Education and the Development Pipeline
August 28th 2021Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, clinical research director of the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center, provided context on the status of patient education efforts and clinical development for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
Anti-CD20 Therapy for MS and NMOSD Linked to Lower COVID-19 Antibody Response
August 4th 2021Among independent variables including DMT group, time from COVID-19 infection, total IgG level, age, sex, obesity, and COVID-19 severity, only the anti-CD20 group was associated with decreased odds of positive serology.
Identifying Atypical Forms, Presentations of Demyelinating Disease: Oliver Tobin, MBBCh, BAO, PhD
July 20th 2021The associate professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic Rochester discusses the importance of alternative diagnoses and rarer presentations of MS, in order to avoid misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatment for patients.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography Helps Differentiate MS and NMOSD
July 5th 2021Although existing research has shown structural differences between multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in following optic neuritis, the new report also covers non–optic neuritis eyes.