title: Immunoadsorption in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a neuroinflammatory disorder of the central nervous system, distinct from multiple sclerosis by affecting predominantly the optic nerve and the spinal cord, and mediated by antibodies directed against aquaporin 4 (AQP4-ab) as a possible pathomechanistic hallmark of NMOSD. Therapeutic options include immunosuppression with steroids or B-cell-depleting agents as baseline therapies, as well as plasma exchange (PLEX) and/or immunoadsorption (IA) during relapses. Until now, data concerning the efficacy of IA alone are scarce.
  
  
  METHODS
  Visual evoked potentials (VEPs), visual acuity and changes of symptoms at relapse leading to admission in NMOSD patients (n = 10) treated with IA in a single-centre setting were evaluated retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients profited from the procedure and showed an amelioration of admission symptoms. Three patients improved in visual acuity, another three patients remained stable, whereas five patients showed an improvement in VEPs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this small cohort, IA constitutes a valid therapeutic option for patients with NMOSD as an equivalent to PLEX. Analysis in larger cohorts is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Gudrunstr. 56, D-44791 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Faissner
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nikolayczik
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Min-Suk
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University, Gudrunstr. 56, D-44791 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Aiden
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Haghikia
keywords: aquaporin 4 antibodies; immunosuppressive treatment; multiple sclerosis-related disease; plasmapheresis