| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2823873 | Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders | 2012 | 8 Pages |
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease preferentially targeting the optic nerves and spinal cord. Once regarded as a variant of multiple sclerosis (MS), NMO is now recognized to be a different disease with unique pathology and immunopathogenesis that does not respond to traditional MS immunomodulators such as interferons. Preventive therapy in NMO has focused on a range of immunosuppressive medications, none of which have been validated in a rigorous randomized trial. However, multiple retrospective and a few recent prospective studies have provided evidence for the use of six medications for the prevention of NMO exacerbations: azathioprine, rituximab, mycophenolate mofetil, prednisone, methotrexate and mitoxantrone. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of each of these medications in NMO and concludes with a set of recommended consensus practices.
► This review discusses the evidence supporting treatment of neuromyelitis optica. ► Acute and preventive therapies are addressed. ► Consensus recommendations for use of various immunosuppressive agents is provided.
