The history of neuromyelitis optica

Abstract

The discovery of a novel serum autoantibody (termed NMO-IgG or AQP4-Ab) in a subset of patients in 2004 has revived interest in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). While the history of classical multiple sclerosis has been extensively studied, only little is known about the history of NMO. In the present article, we provide a comprehensive review of the early history of this rare but intriguing syndrome. We trace the origins of the concept of NMO in the 19th century medical literature and follow its evolution throughout the 20th and into the 21st century. Finally, we discuss recent proposals to revise the concept of NMO and explain why there is indeed a need for a more systematic and descriptive nomenclature.

Neuromyelitis optica: phenotypic characteristics in a Brazilian case series

“…The term neuromyelitis optica (NMO) was first used in 1894 by Eugène Devic when describing the case of a female patient with bilateral ON and TM with severe functional deficits and subsequent death 1 . First considered a variant of multiple sclerosis, NMO is currently regarded as a distinct disease, because it has clinical manifestations and radiological and pathological features that differ from multiple sclerosis 2 .…”

Neuromyelitis optica: a demyelinating disease

“…An association of spinal cord and optic nerve disorders was first reported in early 19 th century. 1 Although the inflammation may also affect the brain, the lesions of NMO are different from those seen in multiple sclerosis. 2 NMO can occur in children but pediatric NMO needs specific consideration owing to poor visual and motor outcome.…”

Biopsie bei tumorverdächtiger spinaler Raumforderung: Fallstrick Neuromyelitis optica

“…Die Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), nach dem Erstbeschreiber auch als Devic-Syndrom bezeichnet [4,13], ist eine chronisch-entzündliche Autoimmunerkrankung des Zentralnervensystems (ZNS) mit primärem Befall der Sehnerven und des Rückenmarks [21,30,36]. Klinisch stehen rezidivierende uni-oder bilaterale Optikusneuritiden (ON) und langstreckige extensive transverse Myelitiden (LETM) mit einer typischen Längsaus-dehnung in der Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) von ≥3 vertebralen Segmenten im Vordergrund [25,31].…”