Background: Relapsing-neuromyelitis optica (R-NMO) is the first CNS inflammatory autoimmune disease with a defined target molecule: the astrocytic water channel aquaporin-4 (AQP4). We have reported structural brain abnormalities in R-NMO patients by visual analysis on MRI images
Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a CNS demyelinating disease characterized by relatively selective injury to the optic nerves and spinal cord. As the prognosis and treatment differ between NMO and multiple sclerosis (MS), distinguishing these two diseases in patients presenting optic neuritis (ON) is important
OBJECTIVE: To investigate serum uric acid (UA) levels and related clinical characteristics of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). METHODS: The serum uric acid levels were measured in 65 patients with NMO, compared to control groups which were 76 cases with multiple sclerosis (MS), 126 cases with cerebral vascular diseases (CVD) and 130 healthy controls (HC). The disability severity in NMO was assessed by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS).
Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is characterized by severe optic neuritis and longitudinally extended transverse myelitis. A serum autoantibody against aquaporin-4 (AQP4), a water channel densely expressed on astrocytes, has been detected exclusively in NMO and the high-risk syndrome. Pathologically, an extensive loss of AQP4 with perivascular depositions of activated complements (C9neo) as well as immunoglobulins is seen in NMO lesions, and infiltration of neutrophils is not uncommon in those lesions.