[S-16] Insights into the disease concept and the boarder of NMOSD and MS

[S-16-1] THE HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF NEUROMYELITIS OPTICA SPECTRUM DISORDERS

Brian G. Weinshenker (Dept of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Rochester, USA)

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) was originally proposed by Devic. The concept of NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) had been proposed after the discovery of anti-aquaporin 4(AQP4) antibody, shedding light on the anti-AQP4 antibody positive cases without optic neuritis or myelitis, or seronegative opticospinal cases, which is distinct from classical multiple sclerosis (MS). However, it is now revealed that there are similar cases with bilateral optic neuritis, transverse myelitis or acute disseminated encephalomyelitis associated only with anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody, which in these groups some patients had similar features to MS clinically or pathologically. While considering the historical concept of NMO, we are now in front of the spreading of disease concept in NMOSD. We will discuss how these diseases should be grouped and treated from the viewpoints of clinical and pathological studies.

Brian G. Weinshenker is Professor of Neurology and Consultant at Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN. Dr. Weinshenker's major research interests are directed at the understanding of inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system including multiple sclerosis including: 1) natural history of multiple sclerosis; 2) defining clinical and radiologic differential diagnosis of inflammatory myelopathy; and 3) classification, diagnosis, and treatment of severe inflammatory demyelinating syndromes of the central nervous system including neuromyelitis optica. He was awarded the John J. Dystel award for multiple sclerosis research in 2011 by the American Academy of Neurology and National Multiple Sclerosis Society (USA).