Anti-aquaporin-4 (Aqp-4) antibody and complement system have emerged as major pathogenic factors in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). To test the significance of interleukin-6 (IL-6), another important humoral immunity factor, in NMO pathogenesis, we measured serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IL-6 levels of 23 NMO, 11 transverse myelitis, 16 optic neuritis, 27 relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients, and 20 neurologically normal controls
OBJECTIVE: To assess the features of pain and its impact on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). METHODS: We analyzed 37 patients with NMO or NMO spectrum disorders seen at the Department of Neurology, Tohoku University Hospital, Sendai, Japan, during the period from November 2008 to February 2009
Background: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disorder characterized by recurrent attacks of optic neuritis and longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis(LETM). Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as voiding dysfuntion are disturbing in LETM patients and has not been studied in this specific population
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO; Devic’s disease) and the NMO spectrum disorders are idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disorders that affect the central nervous system and have a predilection for optic nerves and spinal cord. The identification of NMO-IgG as a disease-specific marker and aquaporin 4 as the target antigen has renewed interest in NMO.