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Neuromyelitis Optica: Clinical Syndrome and the NMO-IgG Autoantibody Marker

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Advances in multiple Sclerosis and Experimental Demyelinating Diseases

Part of the book series: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology ((CT MICROBIOLOGY,volume 318))

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a severe demyelinating disease of the CNS that preferentially affects the optic nerves and spinal cord, tends to relapse, and results in early permanent disability for most affected patients. A new autoantibody marker called neuromyelitis optica immunoglobulin G (NMO-IgG), which targets the water channel protein aquaporin-4, is highly specific for NMO. The marker has demonstrated that the NMO spectrum of disorders is wider than previously known and includes some patients with single-episode or recurrent longitudinally extensive myelitis, recurrent isolated optic neuritis, Asian optic—spinal multiple sclerosis, and patients with co-existing systemic autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus or Sjögren's syndrome. We review the place of NMO within the nosology of CNS demyelinating diseases, the discovery of NMO-IgG and its impact on the definition of NMO and its spectrum, implications for understanding NMO pathogenesis, and informing treatment decisions.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55901, USA

    B. G. Weinshenker

  2. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Scottsdale, AZ, USA

    D. M. Wingerchuk

Authors
  1. B. G. Weinshenker
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  2. D. M. Wingerchuk
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology and Immunology, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA

    Moses Rodriguez

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Weinshenker, B.G., Wingerchuk, D.M. (2008). Neuromyelitis Optica: Clinical Syndrome and the NMO-IgG Autoantibody Marker. In: Rodriguez, M. (eds) Advances in multiple Sclerosis and Experimental Demyelinating Diseases. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology, vol 318. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73677-6_14

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