Neuromyelitis optica
It's important that NMO is correctly diagnosed. It can sometimes be confused with multiple sclerosis , which also affects the brain and spinal cord and has similar symptoms. However, the treatment is different.
Aneurology specialist will discuss your symptoms and medical history with you.
You'll have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of your brain and spinal cord. Some people with NMO (up to 60%) have lesions on their brain and spine, which are different to the lesions of someone with MS.
A blood sample will be taken and tested for aquaporin-4 antibodies.
A lumbar puncture is another test you may have. A sample of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is taken from the spine using a hollow needle that's inserted into the lower part of the spine.
The fluid sample will be sent to a laboratory to be tested and to look for evidence of conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord or other parts of the nervous system.
In some cases of transverse myelitis, there's an increase in the level of proteins or white cells.
NMO UK has more information about how NMO is diagnosed .
Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), also known as Devic's disease, is a rare neurological condition.
Optic neuritis is inflammation of the nerve that leads from the eye to the brain. It causes a reduction or Visual impairment , and can affect both eyes at the same time. Other symptoms of optic neuri
Transverse myelitis is inflammation of the spinal cord. It causes weakness in the arms and legs which can range from a mild 'heavy' feeling in one limb, to complete paralysis in all four limbs. It m
An attack orrelapse of NMO results in the nervous system becoming inflamed. The inflammation usually occurs in the optic nerve and spinal cord, and causes new symptoms or the recurrence of previous sy
NMO is an autoimmune condition, which means a persons immune system (the bodys natural defence against illness and infection) reacts abnormally and attacks the body's tissues and organs. An antibody
NMO is a rare condition. In Europe, it's estimated that there's one case of NMO for every 100,000 people. In the UK, it's thought that NMO affects less than 1,000 people. NMO can affect anyone but it
It's important that NMO is correctly diagnosed. It can sometimes be confused with multiple sclerosis , which also affects the brain and spinal cord and has similar symptoms. However, the treatment is
There's no cure for NMO, so treatment aims to manage attacks and symptoms, and prevent relapses. Every person with NMO is affected differently and some may have much milder symptoms than others. Howe
Optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve) could affect your ability to drive. You have a legal obligation to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about any medical condition th
If you have NMO, your clinical team will pass information about you on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS). This helps scientists look for better ways