Title |
The Treatment of Neuromyelitis Optica |
Creator |
Kowarik, Markus C; Soltys, John; Bennett, Jeffrey L |
Affiliation |
Departments of Neurology (MCK, JLB) and Ophthalmology (JS, JLB), University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado; and Neuroscience Program (MCK, JS, JLB), University of Colorado Denver, Denver, Colorado |
Abstract |
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system directed against astrocytes. Initially diagnosed in individuals with monophasic or relapsing optic neuritis and transverse myelitis, NMO is now recognized as a demyelinating disorder with pleiotropic presentations due to the identification of a specific autoantibody response against the astrocyte water channel aquaporin-4 in the majority of individuals. As visual impairment and neurologic dysfunction in NMO are commonly severe, aggressive treatment of relapses and prophylactic immunomodulatory therapy are the focus of treatment. Although there are no approved treatments for NMO, medications and therapeutic interventions for acute and chronic treatment have been the subject of retrospective study and case reports. The goal of this review is to familiarize the reader with biologic and clinical data supporting current treatments in NMO and highlight future strategies based on advancements in our understanding of NMO pathogenesis. |
Subject |
Animals; Autoimmunity; Humans; Immunosuppression; Immunosuppressive Agents; Neuromyelitis Optica |
Format |
application/pdf |
Publication Type |
Journal Article |
Collection |
Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Education Library: Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology Archives: https://novel.utah.edu/jno/ |
Publisher |
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins |
Holding Institution |
Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah |
Rights Management |
© North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society |
Setname |
ehsl_novel_jno |
ID |
227557 |
Reference URL |
https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s67979sg/227557 |