Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCNS and NMOSymptomsRisksDiagnosisProgressionTreatmentResources and SupportSpecialists
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
CNS and NMO
Symptoms
Risks
Diagnosis
Progression
Treatment
Resources and Support
Specialists
Neuromyelitis optica(NMO) is an autoimmune disease that starts in thecentral nervous system. It affects the brain and spinal cord. You may also hear it called Devic disease or neuromyelitis optical spectrum disorder.
This article discusses the causes, symptoms, and risks of untreated symptoms of NMO. It also covers diagnosis, treatment, and NMO resources and support.
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Central Nervous System and Neuromyelitis Optica
An estimated 10% to 20% of people with NMO also have another autoimmune disorder, such as:
NMO: What’s the Average Age?The average age of onset for NMO is 41 years old. It’s also more common among females. Both of these characteristics are similar to otherautoimmune diseases.
NMO: What’s the Average Age?
The average age of onset for NMO is 41 years old. It’s also more common among females. Both of these characteristics are similar to otherautoimmune diseases.
NMO Symptoms
Even with treatment, one study found, 64% of people with NMO still experienced moderate to severe pain.
Neuromyelitis Optica vs. Multiple SclerosisNMO is often confused withmultiple sclerosis(MS); however, they are separate conditions. Here are some key differences:NMO attacks are usually more intense than those of MS.When attacking the eyes, NMO often affects both eyes. MS is more likely to affect just one eye.NMO typically affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. MS often affects the optic nerve, spinal cord, and other brain areas. (Sometimes, NMO also will cause lesions in specific parts of the brain.)NMO does not cause cognitive damage like MS, such as memory changes.
Neuromyelitis Optica vs. Multiple Sclerosis
NMO is often confused withmultiple sclerosis(MS); however, they are separate conditions. Here are some key differences:NMO attacks are usually more intense than those of MS.When attacking the eyes, NMO often affects both eyes. MS is more likely to affect just one eye.NMO typically affects the optic nerve and spinal cord. MS often affects the optic nerve, spinal cord, and other brain areas. (Sometimes, NMO also will cause lesions in specific parts of the brain.)NMO does not cause cognitive damage like MS, such as memory changes.
NMO is often confused withmultiple sclerosis(MS); however, they are separate conditions. Here are some key differences:
Risks of Untreated NMO Symptoms
Although there is no cure for NMO, the available treatments can help control symptoms and slow disease progression.
As the attacks caused are unpredictable, untreated NMO can raise your risk for further damage to the body. If left untreated, up to 30% of those with NMO will die within the first five years of illness. The most common reason for this isrespiratory failure.
Receiving a Neuromyelitis Optica Diagnosis
One goal of diagnosing NMO is to distinguish it from MS.A healthcare provider will do the following to diagnose the condition:
How Quickly Do NMO Symptoms Progress?
Neuromyelitis optica progresses at different rates in each individual. When you have NMO, you’ll have attacks, also called relapses. These may occur days, weeks, or months apart. New damage can occur from each relapse. Disabilities can occur over time with repeated relapses.
Types of Neuromyelitis Optica Treatment
For an acute attack of NMO, healthcare providers typically will treat you using the following:
What Is Plasma Exchange?To do plasma exchange, a healthcare provider removes some blood from your body and separates the blood cells from the fluid (plasma) with a special machine. Then, they combine the blood cells with a replacement solution and return them to the body. Plasma exchange may help those with acute, severe attacks who do not get enough of a response to corticosteroids.
What Is Plasma Exchange?
To do plasma exchange, a healthcare provider removes some blood from your body and separates the blood cells from the fluid (plasma) with a special machine. Then, they combine the blood cells with a replacement solution and return them to the body. Plasma exchange may help those with acute, severe attacks who do not get enough of a response to corticosteroids.
Long-term treatment options for NMO include different medications, including:
One common treatment is azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil and a low dose of corticosteroids. Adults who are positive for anti-aquaporin-4 antibodies may also receive one of the following immunotherapy drugs now available to treat NMO:
Neuromyelitis Optica Resources and Support
There is a variety of organizations and support groups to help those with NMO and their families. Here are some places for additional resources and support:
Specialists Who Work With Neuromyelitis Optica Patients
Because NMO affects body systems, a range of health specialists help treat the condition, including:
Summary
NMO is a rare autoimmune condition that can significantly impact your quality of life. It is often confused with MS since it presents similarly, but there are important differences between the two conditions.
Although there is no cure, treatment options are available to help manage your symptoms. If you or someone you care for has been diagnosed with NMO, follow your healthcare providers' instructions and seek additional support when necessary.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Neuromyelitis optica.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Neuromyelitis optica.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Neuromyelitis optica.Mealy MA, Wingerchuk DM, Greenberg BM, et al.Epidemiology of neuromyelitis optica in the United States.Arch Neurol.2012;69(9):1176-1180. doi:10.1001/archneurol.2012.314Ayzenburg I, Richter D, Henke E, et al.Pain and depression and quality of life in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021 May; 8(3): e985. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000985National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.NHS.Neuromyelitis optica.Huda S, Whittam D, Bhojak M, Chamberlain J, Noonan C, Jacob A.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.Clin Med (Lond). 2019;19(2):169-176. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.19-2-169National Organization for Rare Disorders.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.Neuromyelitis-Optica.net.Who treats NMO?
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Neuromyelitis optica.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Neuromyelitis optica.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Neuromyelitis optica.Mealy MA, Wingerchuk DM, Greenberg BM, et al.Epidemiology of neuromyelitis optica in the United States.Arch Neurol.2012;69(9):1176-1180. doi:10.1001/archneurol.2012.314Ayzenburg I, Richter D, Henke E, et al.Pain and depression and quality of life in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021 May; 8(3): e985. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000985National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.NHS.Neuromyelitis optica.Huda S, Whittam D, Bhojak M, Chamberlain J, Noonan C, Jacob A.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.Clin Med (Lond). 2019;19(2):169-176. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.19-2-169National Organization for Rare Disorders.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.Neuromyelitis-Optica.net.Who treats NMO?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Neuromyelitis optica.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Neuromyelitis optica.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Neuromyelitis optica.Mealy MA, Wingerchuk DM, Greenberg BM, et al.Epidemiology of neuromyelitis optica in the United States.Arch Neurol.2012;69(9):1176-1180. doi:10.1001/archneurol.2012.314Ayzenburg I, Richter D, Henke E, et al.Pain and depression and quality of life in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021 May; 8(3): e985. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000985National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.NHS.Neuromyelitis optica.Huda S, Whittam D, Bhojak M, Chamberlain J, Noonan C, Jacob A.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.Clin Med (Lond). 2019;19(2):169-176. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.19-2-169National Organization for Rare Disorders.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.Neuromyelitis-Optica.net.Who treats NMO?
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Neuromyelitis optica.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Neuromyelitis optica.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Neuromyelitis optica.
Mealy MA, Wingerchuk DM, Greenberg BM, et al.Epidemiology of neuromyelitis optica in the United States.Arch Neurol.2012;69(9):1176-1180. doi:10.1001/archneurol.2012.314
Ayzenburg I, Richter D, Henke E, et al.Pain and depression and quality of life in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm. 2021 May; 8(3): e985. doi: 10.1212/NXI.0000000000000985
National Multiple Sclerosis Society.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
NHS.Neuromyelitis optica.
Huda S, Whittam D, Bhojak M, Chamberlain J, Noonan C, Jacob A.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.Clin Med (Lond). 2019;19(2):169-176. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.19-2-169
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
Neuromyelitis-Optica.net.Who treats NMO?
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