Neuromyelitis optica (NMO, Devic’s disease)
Overview
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also called Devic’s disease or more recently neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of the optic nerve, which carries information from the eye to the brain, and the spinal cord. The disease can take on either a monophasic form that involves a single attack of symptoms or a relapsing form involving periodic flares of symptoms.
Common Symptoms
Blindness in one or both eyes, numbness, weakness, or paralysis in the legs or arms, painful spasms, sensation loss, bladder/bowel dysfunction, and uncontrollable vomiting and hiccups. Children are more likely to develop neurological symptoms such as seizures.
Coexisting Diseases and Conditions
Risk Factors and Prevalence
Devic’s disease is more common in populations of Asian or African descent and smoking cigarettes has been identified as a risk factor. The relapsing form of Devic’s disease is seen more often in females, whereas the monophasic form appears to affect both sexes equally. Children usually develop the monophasic form of the condition.
Recent Research
- Symptomatic trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (2023)
- Th17-related cytokines as potential discriminatory markers between neuromyelitis optica (Devic’s disease) and multiple sclerosis– A review (2021)
- Devic’s disease: A rare case presentation (2021)
- Extensive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder at first presentation (2021)
Sources
- Article Sources
Eskandarieh, S., Moghadasi, A. N., Sahraiain, M. A., Azimi, A. R., & Molazadeh, N. (2019). Association of cigarette smoking with neuromyelitis optica-immunoglobulin G sero-positivity in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Iranian Journal of Neurology, 18(3), 93–98. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6858599/.
Miao, J., Aboagye, D. E., Chulpayev, B., Liu, L., Ishkanian, G., Kolanuvada, B., Alaie, D., & Petrillo, R. L. (2018). Importance of Regular and Maintenance Therapy Adherence in Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO): Lessons from a Repeating Relapse Case. The American Journal of Case Reports, 19, 41–46. https://doi.org/10.12659/AJCR.906150.
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder. (n.d.). NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). Retrieved July 9, 2021, from https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/neuromyelitis-optica/.
Neuromyelitis optica—Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved July 9, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neuromyelitis-optica/symptoms-causes/syc-20375652.
Tillema, J. M., & McKeon, A. (2012). The spectrum of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) in childhood. Journal of Child Neurology, 27(11), 1437–1447. https://doi.org/10.1177/0883073812451495.
Miyamoto, K., Minamino, M., Kuwahara, M., Tsujimoto, H., Ohtani, K., Wakamiya, N., Katayama, K. I., Inoue, N., & Ito, H. (2023). Complement biomarkers reflect the pathological status of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Frontiers in immunology, 14, 1090548. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1090548