{"id":17388,"date":"2023-04-12T13:17:52","date_gmt":"2023-04-12T11:17:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neurologiaclinica.es\/neurological-diseases-and-disorders\/neuromyelitis-optica-or-devics-disease\/"},"modified":"2025-04-29T11:29:28","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T09:29:28","slug":"neuromyelitis-optica-or-devics-disease","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/neurologiaclinica.es\/en\/neurological-diseases-and-disorders\/neuromyelitis-optica-or-devics-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Neuromyelitis optica or Devic’s disease"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Neuromyelitis optica or Devic’s disease<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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GENERAL ASPECTS<\/h2>

WHAT IS NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA?<\/strong><\/h6>

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. Autoimmune pathologies are characterized by a disorder of the immune system that attacks organs or tissues as it would against aggressors. In NMO, the immune system attacks astrocytes, especially in the spinal cord and optic nerve. Astrocytes are cells of the central nervous system that support neurons and are essential for proper balance and brain function. Together with the rest of the cells that make up the neurology, astrocytes are necessary for the information that travels through the brain synapses to do so correctly, to provide nutritional support, as well as in the defense against aggressions. <\/p>

Classically, NMO, also known as Devic’s disease, has been defined by the presence of anti-acuaporin 4 antibodies directed against astrocytes. Currently the term used is Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD)<\/span>, which encompasses autoimmune inflammatory processes with predominant involvement of the spinal cord and optic nerves, with axonal damage and severe demyelination. Axonal damage consists of the loss of the neuronal connections responsible for the conduction of nerve impulses. Demyelination involves the loss of the protective layer of these connections, formed by myelin. <\/p>

Among the demyelinating autoimmune diseases, Multiple Sclerosis is the most prevalent and well known, but there are other diseases such as NMO that also involve demyelination and are studied and treated in demyelinating disease units and clinics. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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How long has the disease been known?<\/strong><\/h2>

The first description of NMO was made by Eugene Devic with his disciple Fernand Gault through two publications in 1984 (1,2) and its dissemination at the French Congress of Medicine of the same year. <\/p>

The concept of NMO has been evolving and the latest Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum diagnostic criteria were published in 2015 (3).<\/p>

At what age is it usually diagnosed?<\/strong><\/h6>

Many studies place the average age of clinical debut at 40-41 years. Some series place the peak incidence\/prevalence between 40 and 59 years of age. In any case, it can appear in children as well as in older people, being, compared to Multiple Sclerosis, a disease of later onset and diagnosis. <\/p>

Is it a common disease?<\/strong><\/h6>

In our environment it is not frequent. It is more common mainly in Asia, probably also in Africa and in African and Latin American populations. <\/p>

In Europe, most publications place its prevalence below 1 case per 100,000 inhabitants. A study in Catalonia establishes the prevalence at 0.89 persons with NMOSD per 100,000 inhabitants (4). <\/p>

How does it manifest itself? What are its symptoms?<\/strong><\/h6>

It usually presents with outbreaks. They can be frequent or more sporadic, they are usually more severe than in other demyelinating diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis and the risk of sequelae is higher. <\/p>

  1. MYELITIS<\/strong><\/h6><\/li><\/ol>

    Inflammation of the spinal cord (myelitis) is a common onset form. Some publications place it as the most frequent. It is a generally extensive inflammation that may present with weakness of the lower limbs or all four extremities, depending on whether the location is cervical or dorsal. Loss of sensibility in trunk and extremities, alteration in the control of the urinary sphincter and there can be pain. The pain is frequently intense, burning, with burning or stinging sensations. There is usually gait disturbance secondary to loss of strength and sensory disturbances. <\/p>

    Once the acute phase of the outbreak is over, it is common for spasticity problems to appear with residual weakness. Spasticity is a pathological increase in muscle tension, resulting from injury to the motor pathways, which can cause pain and functional limitation. <\/strong><\/p>

    1. OPTIC NEURITIS<\/strong><\/h6><\/li><\/ol>

      Inflammation of the optic nerve (optic neuritis) causes loss of visual acuity. The loss of vision may affect one or both eyes and is usually more severe and with worse recovery capacity than in Multiple Sclerosis. In the acute phase, along with the loss of vision, more intense eye pain with eye movements and photophobia appear. It is also common the alteration in the perception of colors, a phenomenon known as dyschromatopsia. <\/p>