NMO: What You Need to Know (Video)

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an antibody-mediated inflammatory disease of the central nervous system with a predilection for the optic nerves, spinal cord, and certain brain regions.1 While NMO was previously considered to be a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS), it is now known to have distinct clinical, pathological and immunological features. The identification of NMO-IgG, a pathogenic antibody against aquaporin-4 (AQP4), delineated NMO from MS.Early, accurate diagnosis of NMO permits treatment with appropriate acute and long-term immunosuppressive agents that are critical to mitigate the risk of disability associated with this disease. The distinct pathogenesis of NMO relates to aquaporin-4 autoimmunity and complement-mediated tissue injury. Better understanding of this pathophysiology has laid the foundation for targeted efforts to develop novel, disease-specific treatments. In this review, we discuss the revised diagnostic criteria for NMO, review evidence supporting the use of available treatments for acute episodes and long-term disease modification, and highlight key emerging immunotherapies."