HWN Suggests

Is neuromyelitis optica (NMO, or Devic's disease) the same as MS?

NMO is often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis. Like MS, NMO leads to loss of myelin and can cause attacks of optic neuritis and myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord.) However, NMO is different from MS in the severity of its attacks and its tendency to solely strike the optic nerves and spinal cord at the beginning of the disease. Symptoms outside of the optic nerves and spinal cord are rare, although certain symptoms, including uncontrollable vomiting and hiccups, are now recognized as relatively specific symptoms of NMO that are due to brain stem involvement.

read full article

Featured

 What is NMO?

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) occur when the immune system mistakes normal tissues of the central nervous system as being foreign. As a result, the immune system attacks these tissues, making proteins (called antibodies) and recruiting immune system cells that can harm otherwise healthy parts of the central nervous system. Often, because CNS tissues are rich in a protein called aquaporin-4 (AQP4), the initial attack targets the nerves of the eyes and other parts of the central nervous system, which include the brain and spinal cord. Once thought to be a type of multiple sclerosis (MS), NMO and NMOSD are variants of a distinctive but rare autoimmune disease. NMO is not MS.

Articles of Interest

Savannah’s NMO Story – I’m Done Apologizing for Not Showing Up

I have a rare, chronic neurological disease that affects my central nervous system. It’s caused me to become temporarily half-blind and feel throbbing pain everywhere… I was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) also known as Devic’s disease (similar to MS) last month after my MRI scans showed optic neuritis and brain lesions — and it’s completely shattered me.

Diagnosis and Treatment of NMO Spectrum Disorder and MOG-Encephalomyelitis

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are autoantibody mediated chronic inflammatory diseases. Serum antibodies (Abs) against the aquaporin-4 water channel lead to recurrent attacks of optic neuritis, myelitis and/or brainstem syndromes. In some patients with symptoms of NMOSD, no AQP4-Abs but Abs against myelin-oligodendrocyte-glycoprotein (MOG) are detectable. These clinical syndromes are now frequently referred to as “MOG-encephalomyelitis” (MOG-EM).

It Acts Like MS, Feels Like MS, But it’s Not: NMO Spectrum Disorder

People all over the world get NMO spectrum disorder, while those who live in temperate climates tend to get MS. Also, NMO spectrum disorder tends to strike later in life than MS, and it is more common in women than MS.

Kailee’s Story – My NMO Diagnosis

At the beginning of May, I received the phone call that nobody ever wants to receive. In a very cut-and-dry demeanor, the neurologist stated that because of the lesions on my spinal cord and brain and an antibody called anti-AQP4 found in my blood, he was positive that I had this lifelong disease, NMO.

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.

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO): Understanding the Features, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prognosis

NMO-IgG Antibody: The presence of aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies, known as NMO-IgG, in the blood is highly specific for NMO and aids in differentiating it from other demyelinating disorders.

What Is Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)?

NMO is also called Devic disease. Due to improved diagnostic testing, the term neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is now recommended as not everyone with this disease develops inflammation of the optic nerve and spinal cord, at least initially. NMO is encompassed under the term NMOSD. NMOSD typically causes episodes of symptoms that worsen over a few days. Common symptoms include vision loss and limb weakness. These are also common symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS). Doctors must use blood tests and other exams to distinguish NMOSD from MS. Treatment then involves reducing symptoms during episodes, preventing future episodes, and rehabilitation.

Resources

NMO France

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

The Guthy-Jackson Charitable Foundation

Bringing Together the Best Minds in Medicine to Cure NMOSD. Through research, technology and collaboration, we make medical breakthroughs for those with NeuroMyelitis Optica and its Spectrum Disorders.

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.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

NMO is different from multiple sclerosis (MS). Attacks are usually more severe in NMO than in MS, and NMO is treated differently than MS. Most individuals with NMO experience clusters of attacks days to months or years apart, followed by partial recovery during periods of remission. Women are more often affected by NMO than men. African Americans are at greater risk of the disease. The onset of NMO varies from childhood to adulthood, with two peaks, one in childhood and the other in adults in their 40s. There is no cure for NMO. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved three drug treatments (eculizumab, inebilizumab-cdon, and satralizumab-mwge) which can reduce the risk of relapses in adults who are anti-aquaporin-4 antibody positive

OHSU

For about 90% of patients, NMOSD is a relapsing-remitting illness, like the most common forms of MS. That means patients have attacks (relapses) that usually last days. Relapses are followed by periods of recovery (remissions) that can last weeks, months or years. Each relapse causes new damage. Over time, they can lead to serious disability.

Radiopedia

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) was previously referred to as Devic disease, and traditionally NMO was thought to have limited if any intracranial manifestations. Over the past decade, however, a far wider range of manifestations have been recognized as belonging together and thus the term NMOSD has been proposed to encompass them all.

StatPearls

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an uncommon yet impactful inflammatory and demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system. NMOSD primarily targets the optic nerves, brainstem, and spinal cord, presenting a unique set of challenges for diagnosis and management.