Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026
09:29
Induction of Paralysis and Visual System Injury in Mice by T Cells Specific for Neuromyelitis Optica Autoantigen Aquaporin-4
Published on: August 21, 2017
12.0K
Autonomic dysfunction in people with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders
Luka Crnošija1, Magdalena Krbot Skorić2, Marko Andabaka3
1Referral Center for Autonomic Nervous System Disorders, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Multiple Sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)
|March 20, 2019
Summary
People with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) experience significant dysautonomia, including pupillomotor and cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, more frequently than those with multiple sclerosis (MS). This autonomic dysfunction appears distinct between NMOSD and MS patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Autonomic Neuroscience
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Dysautonomia, or autonomic nervous system dysfunction, is increasingly recognized in various neurological conditions.
- Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are both inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, but they have distinct pathophysiology and clinical manifestations.
- Understanding the specific patterns and burden of dysautonomia in NMOSD compared to MS is crucial for comprehensive patient care and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the autonomic symptom burden using the Composite Autonomic System Score-31 (COMPASS-31) between individuals with NMOSD and individuals with MS.
- To assess the presence and characteristics of objective dysautonomia, specifically cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction (CAD), in pwNMOSD versus pwMS.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 20 patients with NMOSD and 20 age-, sex-, and disease duration-matched patients with MS were enrolled.
- All participants completed the COMPASS-31 questionnaire to assess autonomic symptoms.
- Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction was quantified using the adrenergic index (AI) and cardiovagal index (CI) from the Composite Autonomic Scoring Scale (CASS).
Main Results:
- Patients with NMOSD reported a higher frequency and severity in the pupillomotor domain of the COMPASS-31 compared to patients with MS (p=0.048 and p=0.006).
- Dysautonomia, including sympathetic and parasympathetic dysfunction and orthostatic hypotension, was prevalent in pwNMOSD.
- Cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction was significantly more severe in pwNMOSD than in pwMS (p=0.003), with specific autonomic parameters predicting NMOSD diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of individuals with NMOSD experience clinically relevant dysautonomia.
- The pattern and burden of dysautonomia in NMOSD appear to differ from that observed in MS.
- These findings highlight the importance of evaluating autonomic function in pwNMOSD.
Related Concept Videos
01:18Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System
1.5K
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is an intricate network of nerves that controls functions such as the regulation of heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure regulation. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to various disorders that affect multiple bodily functions. One common feature of many autonomic disorders is the involvement of smooth blood vessels, which play a crucial role in regulating blood flow throughout the body.
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's...
Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's...
1.5K
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
1.1K
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
1.1K
02:37The Electromagnetic Spectrum
65.1K
The electromagnetic spectrum consists of all the types of electromagnetic radiation arranged according to their frequency and wavelength. Each of the various colors of visible light has specific frequencies and wavelengths associated with them, and you can see that visible light makes up only a small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Because the technologies developed to work in various parts of the electromagnetic spectrum are different, for reasons of convenience and historical...
65.1K
01:24The Electromagnetic Spectrum
33.6K
Electromagnetic waves are categorized according to their wavelengths and frequencies, giving the electromagnetic spectrum. These waves are classified as radio, infrared, ultraviolet, etc. Radio waves refer to electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths ranging from millimeters to kilometers. Radio waves are commonly used for audio communications (i.e., radios) and typically result from an alternating current in the wires of a broadcast antenna. They cover a broad wavelength range and are used...
33.6K
01:19IR Spectrum
2.1K
When infrared (IR) radiation passes through a molecule, the bonds stretch or bend by absorbing the radiation. This absorption creates the molecule's absorption spectrum, which is the plot of its percentage transmittance versus wavenumber.
Transmittance is defined as the ratio of the radiant power passing through a sample to that from the radiation's source. Multiplying the transmittance by 100 gives the percent transmittance (%T), which varies between 100% (no absorption) and 0%...
Transmittance is defined as the ratio of the radiant power passing through a sample to that from the radiation's source. Multiplying the transmittance by 100 gives the percent transmittance (%T), which varies between 100% (no absorption) and 0%...
2.1K
01:22Autonomic Nervous System
12.6K
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a critical component of the peripheral nervous system, primarily responsible for regulating involuntary bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis. It functions in tandem with the central nervous system (CNS) to seamlessly coordinate various physiological processes without the need for conscious control.
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. These divisions function antagonistically to maintain a dynamic...
The ANS comprises two main divisions: the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. These divisions function antagonistically to maintain a dynamic...
12.6K