Neuromyelitis optica

Jilpa Patel, Roumen Balabanov*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic's disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system. NMO affects optic nerves and spinal cord of patients causing visual loss and myelopathy. Until recently, this disease had a poor prognosis and presented a number of clinical, diagnostic, and management challenges. Over the last decade NMO became a focus of intense research, which led to identification of a disease biomarker and introduction of novel diagnostic criteria. In this review, we discuss the most important clinical and management aspects of the disease. In addition, we analyze the current hypotheses related to the etiology and pathogenesis of NMO. In the conclusion of the review we outline several research directions that may be of future interest.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationEncephalitis, Encephalomyelitis and Encephalopathies
Subtitle of host publicationSymptoms, Causes and Potential Complications
PublisherNova Science Publishers, Inc.
Pages131-145
Number of pages15
ISBN (Print)9781622577668
StatePublished - Jan 1 2013

Keywords

  • Antiaquaporin-4 antibody
  • Aquaporin-4
  • CNS inflammation
  • Devic's disease
  • Myelitis
  • Neuromyelitis optica
  • Optic neuritis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine
  • General Neuroscience

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