title: [Neuromyelitis optica: a separate disease entity associated with aquaporin-4-antibodies].
abstract: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO; Devic's Syndrome) is an idiopathic, often relapsing, severe inflammatory disorder preferentially affecting optic nerves and spinal cord. The distinction of NMO from multiple sclerosis (MS) as a separate disease entity has been controversally discussed for a long time. Though both diseases show demyelinisation, they differ in typical clinical, imaging and immunopathological findings. The recent identification of serum aquaporin (AQP)-4 antibody clearly separates NMO from MS. In addition, the identification of AQP-4 antibodies supports peripheral humoral autoimmune pathogenesis in NMO and permits early initiation of effective therapy for prevention of attack-related disability.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle/Saale. Berit.Jordan@medizin.uni-halle.de
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eger
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kornhuber
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zierz
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051401:Aquaporin 4 / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009471:Neuromyelitis Optica / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D051401:Aquaporin 4; D001323:Autoantibodies