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neuromyelitis-optica-facts
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49+ Neuromyelitis Optica Facts: 2023 Ultimate Guide to NMO

  1. NMO stands for Neuromyelitis Optica.
  2. NMO is a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS).
  3. NMO is also known as Devic’s disease.
  4. NMO predominantly affects the optic nerves and spinal cord.
  5. NMO is caused by an autoantibody called aquaporin-4 (AQP4) which attacks the body’s own tissues.
  6. AQP4 is a water channel protein found in the CNS.
  7. The presence of AQP4 antibodies is a hallmark of NMO.
  8. NMO primarily affects women, with a female-to-male ratio of approximately 4:1.
  9. NMO typically occurs between the ages of 20 and 40.
  10. NMO can also affect the brainstem, causing nausea, vomiting, and hiccups.
  11. NMO can be mistaken for multiple sclerosis (MS) as they share similar symptoms, but the two conditions are distinct.
  12. NMO has a higher mortality rate than MS.
  13. The annual incidence of NMO is estimated to be 0.05 to 0.4 per 100,000 people.
  14. The prevalence of NMO is estimated to be 1 to 4 per 100,000 people.
  15. NMO occurs more frequently in certain populations, such as Asians and people of African descent.
  16. NMO can be triggered by infections, such as the flu or pneumonia.
  17. NMO can also be triggered by certain medications.
  18. The symptoms of NMO can be sudden and severe, with rapid onset.
  19. The most common symptoms of NMO include optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and brainstem symptoms.
  20. Optic neuritis is inflammation of the optic nerve, which can cause blurry vision, eye pain, and loss of vision.
  21. Transverse myelitis is inflammation of the spinal cord, which can cause weakness, numbness, and loss of sensation.
  22. Brainstem symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, hiccups, double vision, and facial numbness.
  23. NMO can lead to permanent disability, particularly if not diagnosed and treated promptly.
  24. NMO is treated with immunosuppressive therapy to reduce inflammation and prevent relapses.
  25. Corticosteroids are often used to treat acute attacks of NMO.
  26. Plasma exchange (also known as plasmapheresis) may be used in severe cases of NMO.
  27. Rituximab is a biologic drug that is effective in treating NMO.
  28. Other biologic drugs, such as eculizumab and satralizumab, are being studied for use in NMO.
  29. Some people with NMO may also benefit from physical therapy and occupational therapy.
  30. NMO can be diagnosed using a combination of clinical symptoms, imaging studies, and laboratory tests.
  31. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a commonly used imaging technique to detect lesions in the CNS.
  32. Spinal tap (also known as lumbar puncture) may be performed to detect the presence of AQP4 antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid.
  33. AQP4 antibody testing can also be performed on blood samples.
  34. The McDonald criteria, which are used to diagnose MS, are not applicable to NMO.
  35. The International Panel for NMO Diagnosis has developed diagnostic criteria specific to NMO.
  36. NMO can be a relapsing-remitting disease, with periods of remission between relapses.
  37. NMO can also be a monophasic disease, with a single episode of symptoms
  1. The prognosis of NMO varies depending on the severity of the disease and the response to treatment.
  2. In some cases, NMO can result in permanent disability or death.
  3. NMO is a relatively new disease, and awareness of the condition is still growing among healthcare professionals.
  4. The first case of NMO was described in 1894 by Eugene Devic and Fernand Gault.
  5. NMO was originally thought to be a variant of MS, but it is now recognized as a distinct condition.
  6. The discovery of AQP4 antibodies in 2004 was a major breakthrough in understanding the pathophysiology of NMO.
  7. Prior to the discovery of AQP4 antibodies, NMO was sometimes misdiagnosed as MS, optic neuritis, or transverse myelitis.
  8. The term “neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder” (NMOSD) is sometimes used to describe a broader range of conditions that share some features with NMO.
  9. NMOSD includes conditions such as AQP4 antibody-positive and -negative NMO, and AQP4 antibody-positive optic neuritis.
  10. Some researchers believe that there may be other autoantibodies involved in NMO besides AQP4.
  11. NMO is a challenging condition to study because it is rare and heterogeneous.
  12. The NMO patient community has been instrumental in raising awareness of the condition and advocating for research and improved treatments.
  13. Ongoing research is focused on understanding the underlying mechanisms of NMO, developing more effective treatments, and improving the quality of life for people with the condition.