Asian and African/Caribbean AQP4-NMOSD patient outcomes according to self-identified race and place of residence.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune astrocytopathy characterized by aquaporin-4 antibodies, whose prognosis is influenced by onset age, race, environmental exposures and immunosuppression. Distinguishing the contribution of environment from genetics is challenging. We aimed to compare neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patient outcomes according to self-identified racial group and place of residence.

Seasonal distribution of attacks in aquaporin-4 antibody disease and myelin-oligodendrocyte antibody disease.

Background: Seasonal variation in incidence and exacerbations has been reported for neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). It is unknown whether seasonality also influences aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) disease and myelin-oligodendrocyte antibody (MOG-Ab) disease.

Objective: We examined the seasonal distribution of attacks in AQP4-Ab disease and MOG-Ab disease.

Outcome prediction models in AQP4-IgG positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Pathogenic antibodies targeting the aquaporin-4 water channel on astrocytes are associated with relapsing inflammatory neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. The clinical phenotype is characterized by recurrent episodes of optic neuritis, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis, area postrema attacks and less common brainstem and cerebral events. Patients often develop major residual disability from these attacks, so early diagnosis and initiation of attackpreventing medications is important.

High risk of postpartum relapses in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

Objective: To study the effect of pregnancy on the frequency of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) relapse and evaluate rates of pregnancy-related complications in an international multicenter setting.

Methods: We administered a standardized survey to 217 women with NMOSD from 7 medical centers and reviewed their medical records. We compared the annualized relapse rate (ARR) during a baseline period 2 years prior to a participant's first pregnancy to that during pregnancy and to the 9 months postpartum.

Female hormonal exposures and neuromyelitis optica symptom onset in a multicenter study.

Objective: To study the association between hormonal exposures and disease onset in a cohort of women with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Methods: Reproductive history and hormone use were assessed using a standardized reproductive survey administered to women with NMOSD (82% aquaporin-4 antibody positive) at 8 clinical centers. Using multivariable regression, we examined the association between reproductive exposures and age at first symptom onset (FS).

The impact of 2015 neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders criteria on diagnostic rates.

Background: The international panel for neuromyelitis optica (NMO) diagnosis has proposed diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD).

Objectives: We assessed the impact of these criteria on diagnostic rates in a large cohort of patients.

Methods: We identified and applied the 2006 and 2015 criteria to all patients ( n = 176) seen in the NMO and non-multiple sclerosis central nervous system demyelination clinic (part of the UK NMO service) from January 2013 to May 2015.

Cognitive and psychiatric comorbidities in neuromyelitis optica.

Objective: Our primary objective was to examine the neuropsychological and psychopathological profile of patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and compare these to multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy control (HC) groups. We also examined for relationships between cognitive and psychiatric variables and clinical factors including accumulated neurological disability and disease duration.

Methods: A neuropsychological test battery was administered along with a structured psychiatric interview and quantitative measures of mood symptoms.

Bladder and bowel dysfunction affect quality of life. A cross sectional study of 60 patients with aquaporin-4 antibody positive Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorder.

Background: Transverse myelitis (TM) associated with Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) can be severe and is well known to reduce mobility early in the disease. However the burden of bladder and bowel dysfunction is unknown and overlooked. We studied the frequency of bladder and bowel dysfunction and their impact on quality of life.

Tonic spasms and short myelitis in an elderly woman--unique onset of neuromyelitis optica.

Neuromyelitis optica typically presents at a median age of 40-50 years. The myelitis is usually of acute onset, long (>3 vertebral segments) and causes severe sensorimotor and bladder and bowel disturbances. We describe a 73-year-old Caucasian woman with aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica whose index event was intermittent paroxysmal tonic spasms (and no other myelitis features) that recurred for 6 months and was associated with a short spinal cord lesion on MRI.

Solitary sclerosis: Progressive neurological deficit from a spatially isolated demyelinating lesion: A further report.

Context: Progressive myelopathy can be a manifestation of a variety of disorders including progressive multiple sclerosis. However it is extremely uncommon for a single lesion to cause a progressive myelopathy in MS. Such a myelopathy, i.

Long-term efficacy, tolerability and retention rate of azathioprine in 103 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients: a multicentre retrospective observational study from the UK.

Background: Azathioprine (AZA) is a common immunosuppressive drug used for relapse prevention in neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Objectives: The objective of this paper is to assess efficacy, tolerability and retention of AZA in a large NMO cohort.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records of 103 aquaporin-4 antibody-positive NMO and NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients treated with AZA.

Transverse myelitis associated with an itchy rash and hyperckemia: neuromyelitis optica associated with dermatitis herpetiformis.

Importance: Neuromyelitis optica is associated with severe neurodisability if not recognized and treated promptly. Several autoimmune disorders are associated with this condition and may vary in their presentation. It is essential that clinicians are aware of the uncommon presenting features of neuromyelitis optica and associated autoimmune conditions.

A review of the current literature and a guide to the early diagnosis of autoimmune disorders associated with neuromyelitis optica.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an immune-mediated neurological disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. A serum biomarker, aquaporin-4 IgG, the autoantibody against aquaporin-4 water channel, has been specifically associated with NMO and has assisted early recognition and prediction of relapses. Less commonly, a monophasic course, associated with antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein has been reported.

Neuropathic pain in neuromyelitis optica affects activities of daily living and quality of life.

Though pain in neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has been described in two recent reports, the proportion with true neuropathic pain (NP), its features, impact on activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life has not been well characterised. A cross-sectional study of 50 NMO patients with transverse myelitis was performed using Douleur Neuropathique 4, Brief Pain Inventory, Extended Disability Status Scale and Short Form 36. NP was identified in 62% of patients.

Role of intravenous immunoglobulin in the treatment of acute relapses of neuromyelitis optica: experience in 10 patients.

Prompt treatment of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) relapses with steroids or plasma exchange (PLEX) often prevents irreversible disability. The objective of this study is to report the use of intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) as treatment for acute relapses in NMO. A retrospective review of 10 patients treated with IVIG for acute relapses was conducted.

The epidemiology of neuromyelitis optica amongst adults in the Merseyside county of United Kingdom.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an uncommon, demyelinating disease that causes long-term disability in adults. Though much has recently been learned about its pathogenesis, there are still only a few studies regarding the epidemiology of NMO. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiology of NMO among adults in the Merseyside county of the United kingdom.

Methotrexate is an alternative to azathioprine in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders with aquaporin-4 antibodies.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe autoimmune inflammatory disorder associated with considerable relapse-related disability. Immunosuppression is the mainstay of treatment but many patients do not tolerate first-line immunosuppressive agents, or experience ongoing relapses.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of methotrexate in aquaporin-4 antibody seropositive NMO spectrum disorders.

Current concept of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and NMO spectrum disorders.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) has been described as a disease clinically characterised by severe optic neuritis (ON) and transverse myelitis (TM). Other features of NMO include female preponderance, longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesions (>3 vertebral segments), and absence of oligoclonal IgG bands . In spite of these differences from multiple sclerosis (MS), the relationship between NMO and MS has long been controversial.

Neuropathic pruritus (itch) in neuromyelitis optica.

Background: Neuropathic pruritus (itch) is an uncommon, but well described, symptom in neurology. There are itch-specific neurons in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. We noted excessive pruritus in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Prognostic factors and disease course in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder from the United Kingdom and Japan.

Neuromyelitis optica and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders have been recently associated with the disease-specific autoantibody aquaporin-4, thought to be pathogenic. Identifying this antibody has allowed the clinical phenotype to be broadened. It is clear that some patients with similar clinical features do not have this antibody and may have a different condition with different outcomes and prognosis.