Causes
NMO is also known as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder or Devic's disease. It occurs when your body's immune system reacts against its own cells in the central nervous system, mainly in the optic nerves and spinal cord, but sometimes in the brain.
Symptoms
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a central nervous system disorder that primarily affects the eye nerves (optic neuritis) and the spinal cord (myelitis). NMO is also known as neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder or Devic's disease.
Prevention
It's also known as Devic's disease. It's not very common -- only about 4,000 people in the United States have it. NMO happens because your body's immune system attacks healthy cells in your central nervous system (your brain and your spinal cord).
Complications
NMO happens because your body's immune system attacks healthy cells in your central nervous system (your brain and your spinal cord). These attacks can happen over days or weeks -- this is called monophasic NMO. Or you may go a long time between attacks, even months or years.
What is the pathophysiology of NMO?
What is neuromyelitis optica (NMO)?
What is NMO (non-Hodgkin's disease)?
What is a NMO attack?
Where does neuromyelitis occur?
What is the name of the disorder that affects the eye?
Is neuromyelitis optica a type of MS?
About this website
Does NMO go away?
There are two types of NMO: Monophasic NMO: This single acute attack of NMO lasts for about 1 month and does not recur within 3 years. It occurs very rarely. In fact, a 2020 study that followed people with NMO for a longer period of time suggests the condition might not actually exist.
Is NMO serious?
Neuromyelitis optica is a rare but serious disease that affects the central nervous system. There is no cure but there medicines and treatments may inhibit future disease flares.
Is neuromyelitis optica rare?
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is a rare inflammatory disease that most often affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. Less often, it affects the brain.
How can NMO attacks be prevented?
Many NMO patients are steroid dependent and it has been seen that maintaining with a low dose of prednisolone (10-20 mg daily or an equivalent alternate-day regimen) is effective in preventing attack.
How long do people live with NMO?
The mortality associated with NMOSD is high and variable. When it is not identified or when it remains untreated, about 30% of patients die within the first 5 years of the disease.
Can people with NMO live a normal life?
It's possible to live for many years with NMO, especially if you receive treatment early on with immune-modulating medications. Some people develop life threatening complications from NMO. One small study found that about 1 in 5 people with NMO develop breathing difficulties.
What does NMO eye pain feel like?
You might feel sudden pain inside your eye. That can be followed by problems like not seeing clearly or even blindness. It usually happens only in one eye, but it can happen in both. Transverse myelitis: inflammation of the spinal cord.
Is NMO painful?
PAIN AFFECTS PATIENTS WITH NMO MORE FREQUENTLY AND SEVERELY Current pain was more common in NMO when compared with MS (86.2% vs 40.9%; P < . 001) and more severe on a 10-point scale (5.38 vs 1.85; P < .
Can NMO go into remission?
NMO can be monophasic or occur as a single episode with permanent remission.
What foods are good for NMO?
What diet should I follow if I have NMO?eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.limiting your intake of foods that are high in saturated fats or sugar, such as processed meats, pastries, and sweets.drinking 6 to 8 cups of water or other sugar-free fluids per day.More items...
How many people in the world have NMO?
There are an estimated 4,000 to 8,000 people with NMOSD in the United States and a quarter-million people worldwide. NMOSD is more common in women (> 80 percent) than men. NMOSD occurs in all parts of the world. It is more common among people of African and Eastern Asian descent than in people who are white.
What is the best treatment for NMO?
The standard of care for an initial attack of NMO includes the following: Intravenous (into the vein) high-dose corticosteroids (methylprednisolone)...Other drugs used off-label to prevent attacks include:Rituxan (rituximab)CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil)Imuran, Azasan (azathioprine)Prednisone.Methotrexate.
Is NMO more serious than MS?
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the central nervous system. The autoimmune disease means the body attacks its own cells and gives rise to symptoms. Symptoms of NMO are usually severe than multiple sclerosis (MS). The individual episodes in NMO are more serious compared to MS.
Can NMO be mild?
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is also known as Devic's disease. Each person will experience different symptoms, which can range from mild to severe.
Is NMO progressive?
NMO and multiple sclerosis And unlike the most common forms of MS, NMO is a progressive condition that worsens with each episode. Meanwhile, brain lesions are a hallmark symptom of MS, but NMO is less likely to affect the brain than the optic nerve and spinal cord.
How common is NMO?
What Is Neuromyelitis Optica? Neuromyelitis optica, or NMO, is a disease that affects your eyes and spinal cord. It's also known as Devic's disease. It's not very common -- only about 4,000 people in the United States have it.
Neuromyelitis Optica: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and More - WebMD
Neuromyelitis optica, or NMO, is a disease that affects your eyes and spinal cord. It's also known as Devic's disease. It's not very common -- only about 4,000 people in the United States have it.
Neuromyelitis optica - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Treatment. Neuromyelitis optica can't be cured, though long-term remission is sometimes possible with the right management. NMO treatment involves therapies to reverse recent symptoms and prevent future attacks.. Reversing recent symptoms.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder - Wikipedia
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), including neuromyelitis optica (NMO), are autoimmune diseases characterized by acute inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis, ON) and the spinal cord (). Episodes of ON and myelitis can be simultaneous or successive. A relapsing disease course is common, especially in untreated patients.
Neuromyelitis Optica | Johns Hopkins Medicine
Neuromyelitis optica, also called NMO, is a rare yet severe autoimmune inflammatory process affecting the central nervous system.
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder - About the Disease - Genetic ...
The immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that together help the body fight infections and other diseases. This system is made up of the skin, mucous membranes, white blood cells, and organs and tissues of the lymph system, including the thymus, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes, lymph vessels and bone marrow.
What are the two types of NMO?
There are 2 types of NMO: Relapsing form, which has periodic flare-ups, with some recovery in between. This is the more common kind, and women are far more likely to have this form than men. Monophasic form, which involves a single attack that lasts a month or 2. Men and women get this type equally.
What to do if you have NMO?
If you or a family member is diagnosed with NMO, it is important to build a support system that includes family, friends, professionals, and support groups.
What is neuromyelitis optica?
Neuromyelitis optica, also called NMO or Devic's disease, is a rare yet severe demyelinating autoimmune inflammatory process affecting the central nervous system. It specifically affects the myelin, which is the insulation around the nerves. NMO mainly affects the spinal cord and the optic nerves -- the nerves that carry signals from the eyes to the brain. As a result, the disease can cause paralysis and blindness.
How is neuromyelitis optica treated?
Experts don't consider this condition curable. But your healthcare provider can prescribe medicines or other treatments to reduce the effects of the disease and relieve symptoms . These may include:
What is the cause of blindness and paralysis?
It specifically affects the myelin, which is the insulation around the nerves. NMO mainly affects the spinal cord and the optic nerves -- the nerves that carry signals from the eyes to the brain. As a result, the disease can cause paralysis and blindness. Neuromyelitis optica most often strikes during childhood.
What tests can be done to check for NMO?
Your healthcare provider may do a variety of tests if he or she suspects NMO including: MRI scan of your brain and spinal cord. Tests to check on how well your optic nerves are working. Samples of your blood and spinal fluid to check for signs of the disease.
Can NMO be a type of multiple sclerosis?
It’s especially common in young women, but men can develop it, too. Experts used to think that NMO was a type of multiple sclerosis. They now think it may be a different condition.
What is the cause of NMO?
Causes. The exact causes of NMO have not yet been confirmed. NMO is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the optic nerve and spinal cord. The condition does not run in families.
What is NMO spectrum disorder?
NMO spectrum disorder is a term used for individuals who experience inflammation of either the optic nerve or spinal cord but not both. In most cases, just the optic nerve and spinal cord are affected. In very rare cases, parts of the brain may also be affected.
What is the antibody for NMO?
Many people with NMO have an antibody called Neuromyelitis Optica Immunoglobin G (NMO IgG) in the blood. Research suggests that NMO IgG may damage aquaporin-4, the water channel that surrounds optic nerve and spinal cord cells, causing the inflammatory effect of the condition.
What is Devic's disease?
Treatment. Complications. Devic’s disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the protective covering of spinal cord and optic nerves. It is also known as neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Due to the part of the nerve affected by the condition, NMO is classified as a demyelinating disease. The protective covering of a nerve is formed ...
How do you know if you have NMO?
Signs and symptoms of NMO vary. A person with NMO will experience at least one bout of inflammation of the optic nerve and spinal cord.
What is the most common type of NMO?
NMO damages the protective covering of the optic nerve and nerves in the spinal cord. There are two types of NMO: Relapsing, which is the most common, and monophasic, which is rare.
Can you drive with optic neuritis?
People who develop optic neuritis should not drive a vehicle due to reduced vision. They may also develop symptoms in the spinal cord from a process called transverse myelitis (TM) including: altered sensations, with sensitivity to temperature, numbness, tingling, and a sensation of coldness or burning.
Nerve damage
Nerve fibers in your brain, spinal cord, and eyes have a protective coating called myelin. Damage to this layer is called demyelination. Conditions like NMO are demyelinating because they damage this protective layer. 2
NMO and your immune system
NMO is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune means that the immune system cannot tell the difference between healthy cells and invaders like viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Because it cannot tell the difference, the body begins to attack and damage healthy cells. In NMO, the nerve fibers of the eye, spine, and brain may be affected. 3
Is NMO inherited?
Most people with NMO do not have a relative who has also been diagnosed with the disease. This means that it is not considered to be passed down from family. 6
What causes NMO?
In NMO, the immune system attacks proteins on the surface of supportive cells in the brain, ...
When does NMO occur?
The condition can appear at any age, but it most commonly develops between ages 40 and 50. While NMO occurs in people of all races all over the world, it tends to be more common in people of African, Asian, or Native American descent, per the National MS Society.
What are the symptoms of NMO?
Symptoms of NMO. Symptoms of NMO vary based on where in a person’s body the damage occurs. NMO can cause optic neuritis and myelitis. Optic neuritis refers to swelling of the optic nerve and myelitis refers to inflammation of the spinal cord. Optic neuritis may happen in one or both eyes and cause the following symptoms:
What is NMO in the body?
What is NMO? In NMO, the body’s immune system attacks the optic nerves and the spinal cord. In some cases, the immune system may also attack the brain. This causes swelling, inflammation, and damage in the optic nerves and spinal cord.
What is the cause of loss of vision?
Causes. Treatment. Takeaway. In the autoimmune disorder neuromyelitis optica (NMO), the immun e system attacks the optic nerves and spinal cord. This can cause symptoms such as loss of vision and changes in sensation. Early and ongoing treatment helps reduce the chances of an attack that may cause more severe symptoms.
What is the condition called when the immune system attacks the optic nerves?
This condition is also known as Devic’s disease or neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Depending on where the damage occurs, it can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from pain in the eyes and weakness in ...
Why do we need early NMO diagnosis?
For the best outcomes, a person must get an early NMO diagnosis. It will help them get proper treatment and lessen the damage caused by NMO relapses.
What is the cause of NMOSD?
The cause of NMOSD is unknown. It occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the spinal cord and eyes. It can be diagnosed by a clinical exam, MRI looking for specific signs, and blood tests looking for certain antibodies.
When does NMOSD start?
NMOSD usually occurs in adulthood, but symptoms may start at any age. Some people have a single attack of symptoms lasting months, but in most people the symptoms come and go over time. People with NMOSD may develop permanent muscle weakness and vision loss. The cause of NMOSD is unknown.
What is the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica?
A diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is based upon a clinical examination looking for the presence of characteristic symptoms and imaging studies ( MRI) of the brain, spinal cord, and eyes. [4] Additional testing may include a blood test looking for a specific type of antibody and a spinal tap to collect a small amount of fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord to look for white blood cells. [3]
What causes optic nerve damage?
The cause of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) is unknown. It is considered an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks cells in the spinal cord and optic nerves. Many people who develop NMOSD have another autoimmune disease. It is also possible that genetic factors may be involved.
How to treat neuromyelitis optica?
Treatment for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders is focused on managing the symptoms and preventing relapses. High-dose steroids, medications that suppress the immune system, and pain medications may be used. Plasma exchange, a procedure for removing excess proteins from the blood , may also be used for severe symptoms. [2] [3]
What is the name of the condition that affects the spinal cord and optic nerves?
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) affect the spinal cord and optic nerves (nerves that carry visual messages to and from the brain). Symptoms include pain, weakness, bowel and bladder problems, and temporary vision loss. NMOSD usually occurs in adulthood, but symptoms may start at any age.
What causes NMO in family?
Doctors aren't sure what causes NMO. It doesn't seem to run in families, but many people who have it also have other autoimmune diseases , in which your body mistakenly attacks healthy cells. Or they may have family members who have them. Some examples of autoimmune diseases are type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and vitiligo.
Why does NMO happen?
NMO happens because your body's immune system attacks healthy cells in your central nervous system ( your brain and your spinal cord). These attacks can happen over days or weeks -- this is called monophasic NMO. Or you may go a long time between attacks, even months or years. This is called relapsing NMO. With relapsing NMO, symptoms go away but can come back and get worse over time.
What is the diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica?
Diagnosis. Treatment. Neuromyelitis optica, or NMO, is a disease that affects your eyes and spinal cord. It's also known as Devic's disease. It's not very common -- only about 4,000 people in the United States have it. NMO happens because your body's immune system attacks healthy cells in your central nervous system ...
How do you know if you have optic neuritis?
See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms: Optic neuritis: inflammation of the optic nerve (this carries information from your eye to your brain ). You might feel sudden pain inside your eye. That can be followed by problems like not seeing clearly or even blindness.
What causes numbness in the legs and arms?
Transverse myelitis: inflammation of the spinal cord. This can cause problems with your arms and legs, including pain, weakness, numbness, or paralysis. It also can lead to loss of control of your bladder and bowel. You could have nausea, vomiting, hiccups, a stiff neck, or a headache.
What test is done to check for NMO?
Your doctor also may want to look at your spine to see if it's inflamed. One way to do that is with a test called an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).
What are some examples of autoimmune diseases?
Some examples of autoimmune diseases are type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and vitiligo. Diagnosis. Your doctor will examine you and check your thinking, vision, speech, strength, and reflexes. They may want to test fluid from your spine and your blood.
What happens to the immune system when you have NMOSD?
For people with NMOSD, the body’s immune system begins to attack the healthy cells and tissues (specifically, the covering of the nerves called the myelin sheath) instead of only attacking foreign invaders such as viruses. This results in inflammation and injury to the nerves in the eyes (causing visual problems or blindness) and the spinal cord (causing muscle weakness, paralysis and more).
What is neuromyelitis optica?
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare, chronic (long-term), demyelinating, autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). It is also commonly referred to as Devic’s disease. The disorder primarily affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. It can also affect the brain in some instances.
How long does NMOSD last?
2 . The monophasic form of NMOSD involves one single episode that may last from 30 to 60 days.
What happens when you have one autoimmune disease?
When a person has one autoimmune disorder, it results in an increased risk of having another type of autoimmune disorder. In fact, some sources report that there is a 25% rate of a second autoimmune disorder being present. 7 .
Why is autoimmune disease not well understood?
A 2018 study reports that NMOSD’s immune dysfunction is likely to be linked with a genetic predisposition, combined with environmental triggers, including various infection-causing organisms such as: 3
What is it called when the immune system fails to recognize one or more of the body's own elements?
When the immune system fails to recognize one or more of the body’s own elements (such as specific proteins) as self, it sometimes produces what is called “autoantibodies” that attack its own cells, tissues or organs. In NMOSD, there have been two autoantibodies discovered. These autoantibodies are formed in response to specific proteins, including:
Is NMOSD a chronic disease?
An autoimmune disorder is considered a chronic, complex inflammatory disease. NMOSD is sometimes linked with other autoimmune diseases (such as systemic autoimmune diseases involving the entire body) or brain autoimmune diseases. When a person has one autoimmune disorder, it results in an increased risk of having another type of autoimmune disorder. In fact, some sources report that there is a 25% rate of a second autoimmune disorder being present. 7
Where does neuromyelitis occur?
It occurs when your body's immune system reacts against its own cells in the central nervous system, mainly in the optic nerves and spinal cord, but sometimes in the brain. The cause of neuromyelitis optica is usually unknown, although it sometimes appears after an infection, or it can be associated with another autoimmune condition. ...
What is the name of the disorder that affects the eye?
Overview. Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a central nervous system disorder that primarily affects the eye nerves (optic neuritis) and the spinal cord (myelitis). NMO is also known as neuromy elitis optica spectrum disorder or Devic's disease. It occurs when your body's immune system reacts against its own cells in the central nervous system, ...
Is neuromyelitis optica a type of MS?
Neuromyelitis optica is often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis (MS) or perceived as a type of MS, but NMO is a distinct condition. Neuromyelitis optica can cause blindness in one or both eyes, weakness or paralysis in the legs or arms, painful spasms, loss of sensation, uncontrollable vomiting and hiccups, and bladder or bowel dysfunction ...