Neuromyelitis Optica

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Article initiated by:
Ayman Okla Suleiman, MD, Grecia Rico, Jason Zehden, Nita Bhat, MBBS, MS, Shruthi Harish Bindiganavile, MBBS, MS
All contributors:
Andrew Go Lee, MD, Ayman Okla Suleiman, MD, Grecia Rico, Jason Zehden, Shruthi Harish Bindiganavile, MBBS, MS, Megha Yadav, MD, Elizabeth Arogundade, Annika Jyothi, Nagham Al-Zubidi, MD, Koushik Tripathy, MD (AIIMS), Ayman Okla Suleiman, MD, Shruthi Harish Bindiganavile, MBBS, MS, Nita Bhat, MBBS, MS, Sanjana Jaiswal, Safa Ibrahim, MD
Assigned editor:
Ayman Okla Suleiman, MD
Review:
Assigned status Up to Date
 by Ayman Okla Suleiman, MD on October 27, 2025.


Neuromyelitis Optica/Myelin Oligodendrocytic Glycoprotein. © 2019 Neuro-ophthalmology Virtual Education Library: NOVEL [1]

Neuromyelitis Optica
DiseasesDB
29470
ICD-10
[1]36.0
MeSH
D009471


Disclaimer: This article is directed at an Ophthalmology audience, and may not include all non-ocular neurological manifestations of NMO.

Neuromyelitis optica, (previously referred to as Devic disease) and now termed neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), is an inflammatory, antibody-mediated, immunologic disease of the central nervous system that causes demyelination of the optic nerve and spinal cord.

Disease Entity

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory disease that causes demyelination of the central nervous system, primarily affecting the optic nerve (optic neuritis) and the spinal cord. [2][3]

Epidemiology

NMO is the second most common type of demyelinating disease. It has a higher prevalence in women, particularly those of childbearing age (15 to 40 years), with a female-to-male ratio of (9:1). [4] Moreover, studies show around 20%–47% of women develop their first symptoms of NMO during pregnancy or within a year of childbirth or miscarriage. [5] [6]

Age Distribution and Late-Onset NMOSD

While NMOSD most commonly presents in women of childbearing age (15 to 40 years), the disease can manifest across the entire lifespan.[7] Late onset (LO) NMOSD can be defined as onset between 50-69 years, while very-late-onset (VLO) NMOSD refers to disease onset at age 70 or older. [8] These subgroups represent a rare but increasingly recognized presentation as the global population ages.[9] The oldest reported cases of seropositive NMOSD have occurred in patients in their ninth and tenth decades of life. [10] [11]

Age distribution studies suggest that approximately 3-5% of NMOSD cases present after age 60, with even fewer cases presenting after age 70.[7] The rarity of VLO cases, combined with atypical presentations and overlapping symptoms with age-related conditions, may lead to underdiagnosis in elderly populations. As life expectancy increases globally, clinicians should maintain awareness of NMOSD as a diagnostic possibility even in geriatric patients presenting with acute visual or neurological symptoms.

Etiology

The precise etiology of NMOSD remains to be completely defined. In the past there was debate as to whether NMO represented a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS), recent evidence however suggests that NMOSD has a completely different pathogenesis, pathology, mechanism of disease, presentation, course, treatment, and prognosis than MS. [3][12]

Risk Factors

Although NMOSD can occur in any ethnicity, either gender, and any age, the disease has a predilection for females and may be more common in patients of Asian or African descent. [13]

General Pathology

NMO is characterized by segmented demyelination and inflammation of the spinal cord and the optic nerves inducing axonal loss and perivascular lymphocytic infiltration.

Pathophysiology

NMOSD is primarily an astrocytopathy. It involves demyelination and inflammation of multiple spinal cord segments and the optic nerves.[14] NMOSD produces significant axonal loss associated with perivascular lymphocytic infiltration and vascular proliferation.[14] Necrosis in NMOSD usually involves both gray and white matter, which is distinct from multiple sclerosis.[14] The pathophysiology of NMOSD mainly involves the humoral immune system.[14] NMO is characterized by a disease specific IgG antibody against the astrocytic aquaporin 4 (AQP4) water channel (also known as the aquaporin-4 autoantibody (anti-AQP4 or AQP4-IgG).[15][16] The AQP4 water channel membrane protein is concentrated in the optic nerve, area postrema, and spinal cord.[17] AQP4 rich areas of the CNS account for the clinical findings of NMOSD. The proposed pathophysiology involves anti-AQP4 autoantibodies that are peripherally produced entering the CNS and binding astrocyte foot processes, which then induces complement mediated cell damage, granulocyte infiltration, and astrocyte death.[16] Death of astrocytes induces secondary death of oligodendrocytes, resulting in demyelination and ultimately neuronal cell death.[16] Local CNS water imbalance results in oligodendrocyte damage and demyelinization.[2] The loss of AQP4 immunoreactivity and the astrocyte pathology in the brain and spinal cord lesions distinguish NMOSD lesions from multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions.[15] There are still unknown elements in the pathophysiology of NMOSD including the mechanism for loss of tolerance and anti-AQP4 formation, pathogenesis of seronegative NMOSD, and the mechanisms that anti-AQP4 breach the blood brain barrier.[16]

Diagnosis

Historical Background

The first association between myelitis and optic nerve disorder was reported in 1870 by Sir Thomas Clifford Allbutt. His case reports were vague and no pathology was documented [18] Almost 80 years later, Stansbury published a thorough review on NMO and afterwards accepted as a separate entity from MS. [12]

Ocular Signs and Symptoms

Interestingly, patients can initially present with an acute flu-like illness (fever, myalgia, and headache). Later, more suggestive and specific signs and symptoms of NMO may start to develop including optic neuritis or myelitis. Ophthalmologic examination may be within normal limits in asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic patients with NMOSD. Patients with optic neuritis related to NMO often present acutely with optic disc swelling[16] ,however can develop optic atrophy. Central optic nerve cavitation can be seen as a sequela of demyelination and necrosis in more severe cases.[19] Patients with optic neuritis in NMOSD typically present with decreased visual acuity, visual field, or color vision (red desaturation).[16] A relative afferent pupillary defect may be seen in unilateral or bilateral but asymmetric optic nerve involvement.[16] Spinal cord involvement manifestations are paraparesis or tetraparesis as well as sphincter dysfunction. [19] As opposed to MS related optic neuritis, patients with NMOSD may have a worse visual prognosis after optic neuritis and many patients are left with residual visual disability.[18] NMOSD typically follows a relapsing and chronic course[17] with recurrent acute attacks of transverse myelitis and/or unilateral or bilateral optic neuritis with only partial or no recovery.[16] Transverse myelitis in NMOSD is frequently severe causing a complete spinal cord syndrome involving all three major neurological pathways (motor, sensory, and autonomic). This may result in permanent symptoms and signs (e.g., paraparesis or quadriparesis, paroxysmal tonic spasms, bladder dysfunction, and sensory loss) as well as radiographic progression to spinal cord atrophy.[15][16][17] Although the optic neuritis in NMOSD superficially may resemble MS, NMOSD related optic neuritis tends to be more severe, more extensive, more likely to be bilateral, recurrent and be less likely to recover than the optic neuritis seen in MS.[16] The optic neuritis seen in NMOSD is more likely to have rapidly sequential or simultaneous bilateral involvement and as well as involve the optic chiasm. Many patients with or without treatment are left with severe residual visual loss with acuity 20/200 or worse.[15][16] An area postrema syndrome may also develop in NMOSD due to involvement of the medulla and manifests as intractable hiccups or nausea and vomiting and symptomatic narcolepsy.[15][16]

Age-Related Presentation Patterns

Clinical presentation of NMOSD in elderly patients may differ from typical adult-onset disease in several important ways:

  • Visual manifestations: Elderly patients with NMOSD-related optic neuritis may presents with more severe initial visual loss and greater difficulty achieving visual recovery compared to younger patients. [20] The presence of concurrent age-related ocular conditions (cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration) can complicate both diagnosis and assessment of visual prognosis. [21] Bilateral optic nerve involvement may be more common in VLO cases. [22]
  • Neurological features: Spinal cord involvement in elderly patients tends to present with more pronounced motor deficits and sphincter dysfunction. [23] Recovery from myelitis episodes may be slower and less complete in geriatric patients, potentially related to reduced neuroplasticity and concurrent age-related spinal pathology. [24]
  • Atypical presentations: Area postrema syndrome (intractable hiccups, nausea, and vomiting) in elderly patients may be initially attributed to gastrointestinal disorders, medication side effects, or other age-related conditions, potentially delaying diagnosis.

Distinguishing Features from Age-Related Mimics

Several conditions common in elderly populations can mimic NMOSD presentation:

  • Ischemic optic neuropathy: Both arteritic and non-arteritic forms can present with acute vision loss and optic disc swelling, similar to NMOSD optic neuritis. Key distinguishing features include the pattern of visual field loss, presence of systemic symptoms, and characteristic MRI findings in NMOSD. [25] [26]
  • Cervical spondylotic myelopathy: Progressive spinal cord compression from degenerative changes can mimic the motor and sensory deficits of NMOSD myelitis. [27] However, NMOSD typically presents more acutely and shows characteristic LETM lesions on MRI.
  • Spinal cord infarction: Can presents with acute myelopathy similar to NMOSD. MRI characteristics and AQP4-IgG testing help differentiate these conditions.
  • Primary CNS lymphoma: Can rarely present with optic nerve of spinal cord lesions in elderly patients, but typically has distinct MRI characteristics and different CSF findings. [28]

Diagnosis

There are different diagnostic criteria for NMOSD with serum positive AQP4-IgG and NMOSD without serum positive AQP4-IgG detailed by the International consensus diagnostic criteria for NMOSD.[15]

Diagnostic criteria for NMOSD with serum positive AQP4-IgG:[15]

  1. At least 1 core clinical characteristic[15]
  2. Positive test for AQP4-IgG using best available detection method[15]
  3. Exclusion of alternative diagnoses[15]


Diagnostic criteria for NMOSD without AQP4-IgG or NMOSD with unknown AQP4-IgG status:[15]

  1. At least 2 core clinical characteristics occurring as a result of one or more clinical attacks and meeting all of the following requirements:[15]
    • At least 1 core clinical characteristic must be optic neuritis, acute myelitis with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis lesions (LETM), or area postrema syndrome[15]
    • Dissemination in space (2 or more different core clinical characteristics)[15]
    • Fulfillment of additional MRI requirements as applicable[15]
  2. Negative tests for AQP4-IgG using best available detection method, or testing unavailable[15]
  3. Exclusion of alternative diagnoses[15]


Core clinical characteristics:[15]

  1. Optic neuritis[15]
  2. Acute myelitis[15]
  3. Area postrema syndrome: episode of otherwise unexplained hiccups or nausea and vomiting[15]
  4. Acute brainstem syndrome[15]
  5. Symptomatic narcolepsy or acute diencephalic clinical syndrome with NMOSD-typical diencephalic MRI lesions[15]
  6. Symptomatic cerebral syndrome with NMOSD-typical brain lesions[15]


Additional MRI requirements for NMOSD without AQP4-IgG or NMOSD with unknown AQP4-IgG status:[15]

  1. Acute optic neuritis: requires brain MRI showing (a) normal findings or only nonspecific white matter lesions, OR (b) optic nerve MRI with T2-hyperintense lesion or T1-weighted gadolinium enhancing lesion extending over >1/2 optic nerve length or involving optic chiasm[15]
  2. Acute myelitis: requires associated intramedullary MRI lesion extending over > 3 contiguous segments (LETM) OR >3 contiguous segments of focal spinal cord atrophy in patients with history compatible with acute myelitis[15]
  3. Area postrema syndrome: requires associated dorsal medulla/area postrema lesions[15]
  4. Acute brainstem syndrome: requires associated peri ependymal brainstem lesions[15]


NMOSD may coexist with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Sjögren Syndrome, or myasthenia gravis and presence of these diagnoses tends to strengthen the confidence in NMOSD diagnosis.[15]

Laboratory test

AQP4 antibody serum levels are not only specific to NMO, but also correlate with the degree of disease activity. Testing of AQP4 is recommended during an acute attack and before starting immunosuppressive therapy.[19] Testing for serum AQP4-IgG is recommended to be done with cell-based serum assays (microscopy or flow cytometry-based detection) since they optimize autoantibody detection and have the best sensitivity and specificity.[15] Indirect immunofluorescence assays and ELISAs are sometimes used due to cell based assays not yet being widely available.[15] However, they have a lower sensitivity compared to cell based assays and occasionally yield false positive results, so interpretive caution is necessary.[15] Confirmatory testing using 1 or more AQP4-IgG assay techniques is recommended in equivocal or seronegative but clinically/radiographically suggestive cases of NMOSD.[15] A small number of patients with clinical characteristics of NMOSD, mostly all AQP4-IgG seronegative, have detectable serum myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies.[15] Lack of CSF oligoclonal bands support a diagnosis of NMOSD over a diagnosis of MS, but they can be transiently detectable during an attack in NMOSD.[15] CSF pleocytosis with >50 leukocytes/microliter or presence of neutrophils or eosinophils are useful in distinguishing NMOSD from MS.[15]

Neuroimaging

An MRI demonstrating specific lesion patterns is an important factor in NMOSD diagnosis.[15] Certain brain, optic nerve, and spinal cord patterns are characteristic of NMOSD and detection of a LETM spinal cord lesion associated with acute myelitis is the most specific neuroimaging characteristic of NMOSD.[15] These MRI lesions usually involve the central gray matter and are associated with cord swelling, central hypointensity on T1 weighted sequences, and enhancement following IV gadolinium administration.[15] Cervical lesions in NMOSD characteristically extend into the brainstem.[15] Cord lesions in MS differ from NMOSD in that they are typically 1 vertebral segment long or less, occupy peripheral white matter tracts, and may be asymptomatic.[15]

The International consensus diagnostic criteria for NMOSD details neuroimaging characteristics of NMOSD:[15]

Spinal cord MRI, acute[15]

  • LETM lesion associated with acute TM[15]
    • Increased signal on sagittal T2-weighted (standard T2-weighted, proton density, or STIR sequences) extending over 3 or more complete vertebral segments[15]
    • Central cord predominance (more than 70% of the lesion residing within the central gray matter)[15]
    • Gadolinium enhancement of the lesion on T1-weighted sequences (no specific distribution or pattern of enhancement is required)[15]
  • Other characteristic features that may be detected[15]
    • Rostral extension of the lesion into the brainstem[15]
    • Cord expansion/swelling[15]
    • Decreased signal on T1-weighted sequences corresponding to region of increased T2-weighted signal[15]


Spinal cord MRI, chronic[15]

  • Longitudinally extensive cord atrophy (sharply demarcated atrophy extending over > 3 complete, contiguous vertebral segments and caudal to a particular segment of the spinal cord), with or without focal or diffuse T2 signal change involving the atrophic segment[15]


Optic nerve MRI[15]

  • Unilateral or bilateral increased T2 signal or T1 gadolinium enhancement within optic nerve or optic chiasm; relatively long lesions (e.g., those extending more than half the distance from orbit to chiasm) and those involving the posterior aspects of the optic nerves or the chiasm are associated with NMO[15]


Cerebral MRI: NMOSD-typical brain lesion patterns (increased signal on T2-weighted MRI sequences unless otherwise noted) [15]

  • Lesions involving the dorsal medulla (especially the area postrema), either small and localized, often bilateral, or contiguous with an upper cervical spinal cord lesion[15]
  • Peri ependymal surfaces of the fourth ventricle in the brainstem/cerebellum[15]
  • Lesions involving the hypothalamus, thalamus, or peri ependymal surfaces of the third ventricle[15]
  • Large, confluent, unilateral, or bilateral subcortical or deep white matter lesions[15]
  • Long (1/2 of the length of the corpus callosum or greater), diffuse, heterogeneous, or edematous corpus callosum lesions[15]
  • Long corticospinal tract lesions, unilateral or bilateral, contiguously involving internal capsule and cerebral peduncle[15]
  • Extensive peri ependymal brain lesions, often with gadolinium enhancement[15]

Differential diagnosis

Diagnostic Challenges in Elderly Patients

Diagnosing NMOSD in geriatric populations presents unique challenges:

  • Comorbidity complexity: Elderly patients often have multiple medical conditions that can obscure or mimic NMOSD symptoms. [29] Careful clinical history and correlation with neuroimaging findings are essential.
  • Polypharmacy effects: Medications commonly used by elderly patients may produce neurological or visual symptoms that overlap with NMOSD presentation, potentially causing diagnostic confusion. [30]
  • MRI interpretation: Age-related white matter changes (leukoaraiosis) are common in elderly patients and must be distinguished from NMOSD-related lesions. NMOSD lesions typically have characteristic patterns (LETM, area postrema involvement, specific brain patterns) that differ from nonspecific age-related changes. [31]
  • Laboratory consideration: False-positive autoantibody results can occur more frequently in elderly populations due to age-related immune dysregulation. [32] Cell-based AQP4-IgG assays with high specificity are particularly important in this age group. Confirmatory testing using multiple assay techniques is recommended when clinical suspicion is high but initial testing in equivocal.

Age-Appropriate Diagnostic Workup Modifications

When evaluating elderly patients for suspected NMOSD:

  • Enhanced vascular assessment: Given the higher prevalence of cerebrovascular disease, careful evaluation to exclude ischemic causes is warranted. Consider temporal artery biopsy if giant cell arteritis is in the differential.[33]
  • Comprehensive infectious workup: Elderly patients may have increased susceptibility to infections that can cause myelitis or optic neuritis. Consider varicella zoster virus, syphilis, and other infectious etiologies. [34]
  • Malignancy screening: Primary CNS lymphoma and paraneoplastic syndromes should be considered in the differential diagnosis of VLO neurological presentations. [35]
  • MRI with and without contrast: Gadolinium enhancement patterns can help distinguish acute NMOSD lesions from chronic ischemic changes, though caution is needed in patients with renal impairment. [36]

Management

Initial treatment for patients with suspected NMO or patients with acute attacks is intravenous glucocorticoids. Prevention of recurrent attacks is treated with long-term immunosuppression. AQP4-IgG seropositive patients are assumed to be at risk for relapse indefinitely and preventive treatment should be considered, even in patients with prolonged clinical remission.[15]

General treatment

Guidelines for NMO management have been difficult to establish, since most studies involve a small number of patients. Treatment for acute episodes consists mainly of steroids (methylprednisolone 500-1000mg daily for 5-10 days) followed by plasmapheresis or intravenous immunoglobulin.[18] Eculizumab and inebilizumab are humanized antibodies that have been studied in randomized controlled trials in patients with NMOSD and have shown efficacy in long term treatment.[37][38] Other immunotherapies have also been used for long term management of NMOSD such as azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab, methotrexate, mitoxantrone, tocilizumab, and oral glucocorticoids.[16][39]

Medical follow up

Side effects such as hepatotoxicity, immunosuppression, lymphoma and other malignancies should be evaluated in patients receiving these medications [18].

Complications

Permanent myelopathy and blindness can occur in NMOSD even after an initially monophasic course. [19].

Prognosis

Patients with NMOSD have a variable prognosis with many patients suffering high levels of disability.[16] One study demonstrated that only 22% of patients had full recovery but 6% showed no recovery at all.[16] Severe visual defects or motor impairment is present in about half of patients within 5 years of disease onset.[16] Disease related mortality in NMOSD is most commonly due to neurogenic respiratory failure.[16]

Age as a Prognostic Factor

Age at onset influences both short-term and long-term outcomes in NMOSD: Visual prognosis: Elderly patients experiencing optic neuritis tend to have poorer visual recovery compared to younger patients. [40] Contributing factors include:

  • Reduced capacity for neural repair and remyelination with aging
  • Concurrent age-related ocular pathology
  • More extensive initial optic nerve damage. Studies suggest that patients over age 60 are less likely to achieve visual acuity better than 20/40 following NMOSD-related optic neuritis. [40] [41]

Motor recovery: Recovery from myelitis is similarly impaired in elderly patients. [42] [43] Age-related factors affecting motor prognosis include:

  • Decreased neuroplasticity
  • Reduced rehabilitation potential
  • Pre-existing degenerative spinal disease
  • Higher prevalence of medical complications during acute illness

Mortality: While NMOSD-related mortality (primarily from neurogenic respiratory failure during severe cervical myelitis) can occur at any age, elderly patients face additional mortality risks from:

  • Immunosuppression-related infections[44]
  • Complications of immobility (pneumonia, pulmonary embolism) [45]
  • Exacerbation of underlying medical conditions[46]

Outcomes Data for Late-Onset Disease

Limited but emerging data on VLO-NMOSD outcomes suggest:[47][48] [49]

  • Relapse rates: Some elderly patients may experience fewer relapses than younger cohorts, potentially related to age-related immune changes (immunosenescence) [50] [51]
  • Disability accumulation: Despite potentially lower relapse frequency, disability tends to be more severe per relapse in elderly patients due to reduced recovery capacity [52]
  • Treatment tolerance: Higher rates of treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects in elderly populations
  • Quality of life: Elderly NMOSD patients report greater impact on independence and activities of daily living compared to younger patients with similar disability levels

Immunosenescence and Disease Remission

An emerging area of interest is the role of age-related immune changes in NMOSD natural history. Immunosenescence involves:

  • Progressive T-cell dysfunction [53]
  • Accumulation of regulatory T cells (CD4⁺CD25^high^FoxP3⁺) that suppress autoreactive immune responses[54]
  • Alterations in B-cell populations [55]
  • Changes in cytokine profiles [56]


These changes may explain why some elderly patients with NMOSD experience a "burnout" phase with reduced relapse frequency. [57] However, this phenomenon is not universal, and the inability to predict which patients will experience sustained remission means that preventive therapy discontinuation remains high-risk. Further research is needed to identify biomarkers that might predict safe treatment discontinuation in elderly NMOSD patients.

Individual cases of prolonged remission without immunosuppression have been reported in elderly patients, particularly those who developed significant treatment intolerance.[58] [59]However, such outcomes appear to represent exceptions rather than the expected disease course, and decisions regarding treatment discontinuation must be highly individualized with careful risk-benefit assessment.

NMO during pregnancy

Pregnancy-induced immunosuppression can influence autoimmune conditions like NMO. [60] Studies show around 20%–47% of women develop their first symptoms of NMO during pregnancy or within a year postpartum. [5] [6]

Pathogenesis:

Elevated estrogen levels during pregnancy decrease apoptosis of self-reactive B cells and IFN-γ generation, thereby propagating NMO pathogenesis. [61] [62] Additionally, an increase in Th17 cells and reduced T-regulatory cells may contribute to higher miscarriage and preeclampsia rates. [62] While the AQP4-IgG antibodies can transfer from mother to fetus, but they don't cause disease in the child. [61]

Clinical outcomes associated with pregnancy:

NMO patients have a higher risk of relapse both during (unlike multiple sclerosis) and after pregnancy - especially in the initial 3 to 6 months after delivery. [60] [5] [63] [64] Also, increased rates of obstetric complications like miscarriage and preeclampsia are common. [60] [61] Due to the similarity of symptoms, NMO-associated area postrema syndrome (intractable nausea, vomiting, or hiccups) should be considered as a differential diagnosis for hyperemesis gravidarum. [5] [65]

Preconception management in NMO patients:

1. Contraception: Any form of contraception is safe with a preference for highly effective, easily compliant, and rapidly reversible options. [66]

2. Preconception counseling: Discuss family planning, genetic risks, increase in risk during intrapartum or postpartum period, and the risk of relapse after stopping treatment versus exposure of drugs to the fetus. Recommend prenatal vitamins and vitamin D supplementation. [67]

3. Stabilize the active disease before conception attempts: Intravenous Rituximab, an anti-CD20 therapy, is recommended 1 month prior to planned conception (two doses of 1000 mg, separated by 2 weeks). [5] [68]

Management of NMO relapse during pregnancy:

1. Prophylactic management: Continue immunosuppression to reduce the risk of postpartum relapse. Azathioprine (2.5mg/kg/day) and rituximab are safe treatment options. [5] [61] [69] Discontinue the following before conception: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF- 6 weeks prior), methotrexate (MTX), and cyclophosphamide (3 months prior). [61]

2. For new neurologic symptoms during pregnancy - Obtain an MRI without gadolinium and compare it with the preconception MRI. [70]

3. For Acute exacerbations: Short courses of glucocorticoids are safe as per the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) guidelines.[67] Prefer Methylprednisolone, prednisone, and prednisolone. Monitor for gestational diabetes if prolonged corticosteroid use is required. [67]

4. Severe NMO attacks refractory to IV methylprednisolone: Plasma exchange or IV immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/d) can be used for steroid-resistant relapses in NMO. [5] [71] [72] Recent studies indicate eculizumab or rituximab can be effective as well. [69]

Postpartum management:

Early postpartum evaluation should include physical functional status and neuroimaging assessments. [67] [73] It is recommended to delay lactation for 4 hours after azathioprine and corticosteroid treatment. However, MTX, cyclophosphamide, and MMF should be avoided during lactation. [5]

To conclude, special consideration is needed for teratogenic effects and the stage of pregnancy, while treating a pregnant patient with NMO.

Geriatric Considerations in NMOSD Management

Management of NMOSD in elderly patients requires careful balancing of treatment benefits against age-related risks:

Immunosuppression risk-benefit analysis

Infection risk: Elderly patients have decreased immune reserve and are at significantly higher risk for serious infections during immunosuppressive therapy. [74] Consider:

  • Screening for latent infections (tuberculosis, hepatitis B, strongyloides) prior to initiating therapy. [75]
  • Prophylaxis for opportunistic infections (Pneumocystis jirovecii, herpes zoster) based on specific immunosuppressive regimen [76]
  • Lower threshold for hospitalization and aggressive treatment of infections
  • Annual influenza vaccination and appropriate pneumococcal vaccination [77]

Medication-specific considerations:

  • Azathioprine: May cause more frequent cytopenias in elderly patients; requires close monitoring of complete blood counts [78]
  • Mycophenolate mofetil: Generally well-tolerated but can cause gastrointestinal side effects that may be poorly tolerated by elderly patients [79]
  • Rituximab: Increasingly used as first-line therapy; monitor for infusion reactions and hypogammaglobulinemia. [80]
  • Eculizumab/Inebilizumab: Newer monoclonal antibodies with proven efficacy; consider renal function and increased infection risk, particularly meningococcal disease [81]
  • Corticosteroids: Risk of osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, and cognitive effects increases with age; use bone protection strategies. [82]

Polypharmacy considerations

Elderly patients typically take multiple medications, creating risks for:

Drug-drug interactions: Azathioprine with allopurinol, for instance, can cause bone marrow suppression. [83]

Medication adherence: Simplified regimens and pill organizers may improve adherence. [84]

Falls risk: Mobility limitations from myelopathy combined with medication side effects can increase fall risk. [85]

Treatment Algorithm Modifications for Advanced Age

Acute relapse treatment[86]:

  • High-dose IV methylprednisolone remains first-line therapy [15]
  • Consider shorter corticosteroid tapers to minimize side effects[87]
  • Plasma exchange or IVIG for steroid refractory cases, with attention to hemodynamic stability.


Long-term preventative therapy[86][88]:

Decision-making should incorporate:

  • Severity of initial attack and residual disability [12]
  • AQP4-IgG seropositivity [11]
  • Patient life expectancy and functional status [89]
  • Treatment tolerance and patient/family preferences


For elderly patients with treatment intolerance or multiple medical comorbidities, a period of careful observation with close monitoring may be considered in select cases, though this approach carries relapse risk. [90] [91]Such decisions should be made collaboratively with patients and families after thorough discussion of risks and benefits.

Balancing relapse prevention against treatment risks

The decision to continue or discontinue long-term immunosuppression in elderly NMOSD patients is complex: Factors supporting continued therapy:

  • AQP4-IgG seropositivity (high relapse risk even after prolonged remission) [11][92]
  • History of severe relapses with significant disability [12]
  • Recent disease activity [11]
  • Relatively good health status and life expectancy[89]


Factors supporting treatment modification or discontinuation:

  • Advanced age with limited life expectancy [89]
  • Severe treatment-related complications [93]
  • Multiple serious comorbidities
  • Poor functional status [94]
  • Patient/family preference after informed discussion

When treatment discontinuation is considered:

  • Ensure decision is made collaboratively with neurology and neuro-ophthalmology specialists [95]
  • Implement gradual taper rather than abrupt cessation when possible [18]
  • Establish close monitoring schedule with clear relapse warning signs [12]
  • Educate patient and caregivers about symptoms requiring urgent evaluation [96]
  • Consider MRI surveillance for subclinical disease activity[11]


References

  1. ↑ Lee, AG. Neuromyelitis Optica/Myelin Oligodendrocytic Glycoprotein. Neuro-ophthalmology Virtual Education Library: NOVEL. Web Site Available at https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s60w348v Accessed March 24, 2022.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Morrow M, Wingerchuk D. Neuromyelitis optica. J Neurophthalmol. 2012;32(2):154-166.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Matiello M, Jacob A, Wingerchuk D, Weinshenker B. Neuromyelitis optica. Curr Opin Neurol. 2007;20(3):255-260.
  4. ↑ Borisow N, Hellwig K, Paul F. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and pregnancy: relapse-preventive measures and personalized treatment strategies. EPMA J. 2018;9(3):249-256. doi:10.1007/s13167-018-0143-9
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Shosha E, Pittock SJ, Flanagan E, Weinshenker BG. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders and pregnancy: Interactions and management. Mult Scler. 2017;23(14):1808-1817. doi:10.1177/1352458517740215
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bourre B, Marignier R, Zéphir H, et al. Neuromyelitis optica and pregnancy. Neurology. 2012;78(12):875-879. doi:10.1212/WNL.0b013e31824c466f
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Collongues N, Marignier R, Zéphir H, Papeix C, Blanc F, Ritleng C, Tchikviladzé M, Outteryck O, Vukusic S, Fleury M, Fontaine B, Brassat D, Clanet M, Milh M, Pelletier J, Audoin B, Ruet A, Lebrun-Frenay C, Thouvenot E, Camu W, Debouverie M, Créange A, Moreau T, Labauge P, Castelnovo G, Edan G, Le Page E, Defer G, Barroso B, Heinzlef O, Gout O, Rodriguez D, Wiertlewski S, Laplaud D, Borgel F, Tourniaire P, Grimaud J, Brochet B, Vermersch P, Confavreux C, de Seze J. Neuromyelitis optica in France: a multicenter study of 125 patients. Neurology. 2010 Mar 2;74(9):736-42. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0b013e3181d31e35. PMID: 20194912.
  8. ↑ Nakahara K, Nakane S, Nagaishi A, Narita T, Matsuo H, Ando Y. Very late onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. Eur J Neurol. 2021 Aug;28(8):2574-2581. doi: 10.1111/ene.14901. Epub 2021 May 25. PMID: 33960076.
  9. ↑ Pandit L, Asgari N, Apiwattanakul M, Palace J, Paul F, Leite MI, Kleiter I, Chitnis T; GJCF International Clinical Consortium & Biorepository for Neuromyelitis Optica. Demographic and clinical features of neuromyelitis optica: A review. Mult Scler. 2015 Jun;21(7):845-53. doi: 10.1177/1352458515572406. Epub 2015 Apr 28. PMID: 25921037; PMCID: PMC4463026.
  10. ↑ Li L, Fang GL, Zheng Y, Zhang YX. Late-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder mimicking stroke in an elderly Chinese man: Case report. J Spinal Cord Med. 2022 Jan;45(1):148-150. doi: 10.1080/10790268.2020.1749475. Epub 2020 Apr 16. PMID: 32298226; PMCID: PMC8890564.
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  43. ↑ Carnero Contentti E, et al. Frequency and predictors of myelitis recovery in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. J Neurol Sci. 2019;403:39-43.
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