HWN Suggests

Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Disease

Various demyelinating diseases, including optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), and cerebral cortical encephalitis, are now recognized as a spectrum of diseases associated with high titers of autoantibodies that target myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). They are collectively termed MOG antibody disease (MOGAD). MOGAD overlaps somewhat with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disease (NMOSD) but has distinct clinical, radiologic, and laboratory features. The most common presentations of MOGAD are bilateral optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, or ADEM. Brainstem demyelination can occur in MOGAD, NMOSD, and MS, but area…

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 New Diagnostic Criteria for MOGAD Distinguishes the Disease from MS and NMOSD

MOGAD has similar symptoms to MS and can sometimes be misdiagnosed as MS. However, it’s more common to have ocular symptoms with MOGAD. About 20 million people worldwide have MOGAD, making it more than 15 times less common than MS. “It’s an uncommon disease, but it shows up in about 5% of patients who walk through the door with optic neuritis at the Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center,” Bennett says. “It demands attention because of its risk for recurrence and its potential to permanently damage the optic nerves and nervous system.”

 She Was Having Bouts of Vision Loss. Why?

Early the next morning, he got his answer. McKeon wrote that they did still have her blood and, after receiving Gutman’s email, ran the test. Gutman immediately called the patient with the news. The young woman held her breath. Would she finally have an answer? Yes. They had found antibodies to the MOG protein in her blood. She had what was now known as MOG antibody disease, or MOGAD. MOGAD is rare, thought to affect 1 in 50,000 people, often starting in childhood.

Articles of Interest

Differentiation of MOGAD in ADEM-like presentation children based on FLAIR MRI features

The differences in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between children with classic acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and myelinal oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody associated disease (MOGAD) with ADEM-like presentation are controversial.

Living with ADEM, AFM, MOGAD, NMOSD, ON and TM

It can be frightening and stressful to deal with the unknown after being diagnosed with one of these disorders, including how these diagnoses impact life years after diagnosis.

The diagnosis of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) in children

Over the last two decades, immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), previously thought to be a biomarker of multiple sclerosis (MS), have been shown to cause a distinct disease called MOG antibody-associated disease (MOGAD). MOGAD accounts for approximately one-third of all demyelinating syndromes in children and is the second most common central nervous system (CNS) demyelinating disease after MS.

Resources

NMO France

Supporting people affected by neuromyelitis optica (NMO) spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and MOGAD.

The Sumaira Foundation

In the summer of 2014, Sumaira was diagnosed with seronegative neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) after experiencing sudden and severe vision loss and weakness/numbness. Less than two months after her diagnosis, she founded The Sumaira Foundation (TSF) dedicated to generating global awareness of NMOSD, MOGAD and other rare neuroimmune conditions, building communities of support for patients and their loved ones, supporting research and advocating on behalf of patients. Sumaira currently serves as the Executive Director of The Sumaira Foundation.

Cleveland Clinic

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody associated disorders (MOGAD) are a spectrum of idiopathic, inflammatory, demyelinating diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS). MOG is a glycoprotein uniquely expressed in oligodendrocyte membranes and myelin sheath in the CNS and although its exact function is not known it is thought to function in maintaining cell membrane stability and mediating the inflammatory cascade.