Cognitive performance in patients with neuromyelitis optica: clinical and imaging characteristics.

This study aimed to identify the prevalence, clinical and radiographic characteristics, and risk factors for cognitive dysfunction in patients with Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Eighty-three participants who were diagnosed with NMOSD were recruited. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB).

Rituximab in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of rituximab (RTX) in stabilizing disability progression in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS).

Methods: A systematic review was conducted, encompassing studies from inception to April 2023, utilizing the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. Inclusion criteria comprised studies with a minimum of 3 SPMS patients receiving intravenous RTX in at least one infusion, with a follow-up duration of at least 6 months.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients With Idiopathic Inflammatory Demyelinating Diseases of the Central Nervous System: A Cross-Sectional Study in Thailand.

Background: Complementary and alternative medications (CAM) are common among patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) for physical and psychological support. However, there is insufficient data regarding the application of CAM in the different cultures and beliefs of each community as well as patient's status.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and modalities of the use of CAM among patients with central nervous system idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating diseases (CNS-IIDD) in a tertiary care hospital.

Multi-actor system dynamics in access to disease-modifying treatments for multiple sclerosis in Southeast Asia: A regional survey and suggestions for improvement.

Background: Despite the global availability of multiple sclerosis (MS) treatments, accessing and financing them in Southeast Asia (SEA) remains a challenge. This descriptive survey-based study aimed to describe the current state of MS treatment access and local access dynamics within this region.

Methods: The survey questionnaire, comprising of 15 closed-ended and five open-ended questions, was developed by three neurologists with expertise in MS and routine MS patient management, or had training in neuroimmunology.

Efficacy and safety of rituximab in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.

In Thailand, resource limitations lead many multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients to use off-label immunosuppressants. This study assesses the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) with a CD19-based reinfusion regimen among Thai MS and NMOSD patients. A retrospective review of patients at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital from January 1994 to April 2023 was conducted.

Tumefactive demyelinating lesions: a retrospective cohort study in Thailand.

Tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDL), characterized by large (≥ 2 cm) demyelinating lesions mimicking tumors, are a rare manifestation of the central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases (CNS-IDD). Distinguishing TDL from other brain lesions can be challenging, often necessitating biopsy or advanced diagnostics. The natural history of TDL varies among races.

Current evidence of rituximab in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. The immunopathology of MS involves both T and B lymphocytes. Rituximab is one of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody therapies which deplete B-cells.

Familial neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders: Case series and systematic review.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is considered a complex multifactorial disorder. Most cases are sporadic, and familial NMOSD is assumed as a rare occurrence. However, few studies reported familial aggregation of the disorder.

Facilities, selection, outcome measurement, and limitations of therapeutic plasma exchange for neuroimmunological disorders: The South East Asian survey study.

Introduction: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) for neuroimmunological disorders has played an important role in the Southeast Asian region. This study investigates the challenges of performing TPE within the region.

Method: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted and launched to 15 South East Asian Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Consortium (SEATPEC) members from seven countries in January 2021.

The epidemiology and burden of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, and MOG antibody-associated disease in a province in Thailand: A population-based study.

Background: Central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating diseases (CNSIDDs) have notable interracial heterogeneity. The epidemiology of CNSIDDs in Thailand, a mainland Southeast Asian country, is unknown.

Objectives: To determine the cumulative incidence, point prevalence, and disease burden of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and other CNSIDDs in Thailand using population-based data of Chumphon.

AQP4-IgG-positive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and temporally detected neoplasms: case report and systematic review.

Background: An increasing number of reports on associations between neoplasms and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) have been published over the past decade. However, types of neoplasms and temporal relationships have not been widely studied.

Objective: To report cases and determine the associations between neoplasms and NMOSD.

Author's response to the commentary: Neuromyelitis optica complicating COVID vaccinations and additional case reports.

Our article Newly diagnosed neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders following vaccination: Case report and systematic review had instigated a critique that there were more cases of post-COVID-19-vaccination NMOSD. Indeed, after the systematic review was performed in July 2021, many reports have been published, and we have seen two new patients at our center as well. However, Finsterer's question on the subclinical activity of NMOSD prior to vaccination, although an interesting notion, was debatable.

A quarter-century report on neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in Thailand: A single-center tertiary care cohort.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune demyelinating astrocytopathy with a high relapse-related disability. This is the largest long-term study of Thai NMOSD patients.

Objectives: To compare characteristics and outcomes of aquaporin 4 (AQP4)-IgG-positive and AQP4-IgG-negative patients.

The efficacy and safety of mycophenolate mofetil in Thai neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients.

Background: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) often leaves patients with a residual disability after each attack. Several studies have demonstrated that mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) effectively prevents relapse in NMOSD. So far, there has been no data on the effectiveness, dosage, and safety of MMF in the Thai population.

CSF GFAP levels in double seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: no evidence of astrocyte damage.

Background: Despite rigorous confirmation with reliable assays, some individuals showing the neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) phenotype remain negative for both aquaporin-4 (AQP4) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies.

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether double seronegative NMOSD (DN-NMOSD) and NMOSD with AQP4 antibody (AQP4-NMOSD) share the same pathophysiological basis, astrocytopathy, by measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels as a marker of astrocyte damage.

Methods: Seventeen participants who (1) satisfied the 2015 diagnostic criteria for NMOSD, and (2) tested negative for AQP4 and MOG antibodies confirmed with repeated cell-based assays, and (3) had available CSF samples obtained at the point of clinical attacks, were enrolled from 4 medical centers (South Korea, Germany, Thailand, and Denmark).

Newly diagnosed neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders following vaccination: Case report and systematic review.

Introduction: The pathogenesis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) has been vigorously illustrated, but triggers of the disease remain unclear. Viral infection and vaccination have been observed to precede certain cases of NMOSD. Amidst the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, mass vaccination takes place across the globe.

Consensus recommendation on the use of therapeutic plasma exchange for adult neurological diseases in Southeast Asia from the Southeast Asia therapeutic plasma exchange consortium.

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is an effective and affordable treatment option in most parts of Southeast Asia (SEA). In 2018, the SEA TPE Consortium (SEATPEC) was established, consisting of regional neurologists working to improve outcome of various autoimmune neurological diseases. We proposed an immunotherapeutic guideline prioritizing TPE for this region.

A comparison between subjective and objective measurements of spasticity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients.

Background: Spasticity is a common and disabling problem in multiple sclerosis (MS), but its effect in other CNS inflammatory demyelinating diseases (CNSIDDs), such as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is not widely studied. This study aims to compare subjective and objective measurements of spasticity in NMOSD patients and determine associated factors.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was performed on CNSIDD patients attending the Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders Clinic at Siriraj Hospital, a tertiary hospital in Thailand, from June to November 2020 was performed.