Also known as Devic’s disease, it is a neurological condition that develops because of a disease or the damage to the brain, spinal cord and the nerves. It occurs when the immune system of the body reacts against the cells in the central nervous system. It mostly affects the optic nerves and the spinal cord resulting in the optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. Neuromyelitis optica is often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis but this is a distinctive disease. Although the neuromyelitis optica can be reversible, it can in some case be severe enough to result in permanent loss of vision and difficulty with walking. It can develop at any age but appears to be common among individuals between the ages of 40 and 50.
Optic neuritis
This is the inflammation of the nerves that travels from the eye to the brain causing loss of vision. Additional symptoms of optic neuritis can include eye pain and reduced color vision where colors may appear to be less vivid than normal.
Transverse myelitis
This is the inflammation of the spinal cord which can cause weakness of the limbs ranging from a mild heavy feeling of a single limb to others experiencing total paralysis of all four limbs. In addition, it can also cause numbness, painful muscle contraction, tingling sensation and sensitivity to touch, cold and heat.
Cause
This is considered to be an autoimmune condition that occurs when the body’s immune system accidentally attacks its own healthy cells. Most of these patients have the antibody that is produced against the protein called aquaporin-4 which can be detected in the blood. When the immune system attacks this protein, it can cause damage to the myelin sheath which is the protective layer of the nerve cells responsible for the transmission of nerve signals.
Symptoms
The potential symptoms associated with this condition are the loss of vision or blurred vision, numbness, weakness, problems with the bladder or bowels and stiffness or tightness of the muscles. In addition, it can also cause nerve pain that can be sharp, shooting or numbing pain and increased muscle tone from the nerve damage that affects the muscle control.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the symptoms evident and with various tests. The diagnostic tests may include MRI scans to detect the inflammation of the spinal cord generally in the long segment of the spinal cord. The cerebrospinal fluid may also show an increase in the white blood cells and reveal a type of cell known as the neutrophil. In most of the cases, the blood test known as the NMO-IgG blood test shows positive that can be an indication of the condition.
Treatment
There is no cure for neuromyelitis optica but the treatment helps with the management of the symptoms and to prevent relapses. Early treatment is also important to prevent further episodes and permanent disability. The nerve inflammation can be reduced with medications and to suppress the immune system. Physiotherapy can also help with the reduced mobility.
References
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/neuromyelitis-optica/Pages/Introduction.aspx
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/What-is-MS/Related-Conditions/Neuromyelitis-Optica-(NMO)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/devics-disease
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/neuromyelitis-optica/basics/definition/con-20036360
