Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Disease (MOGAD) and Multiple Sclerosis
Understanding Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody Disease (MOGAD)
acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). This is rare in adults." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host=""> Changes in vision (optic neuritis) and symptoms caused by spinal cord inflammation (transverse myelitis) are common in MOGAD.Symptoms caused by optic neuritis include:- Loss or blurring of vision in one or both eyes
- Loss of color vision
- Eye pain
- Weakness, numbness or loss of sensation
- Paralysis
- Loss of bowel or bladder control or difficulty emptying the bladder
- Spasticity (increased muscle tone or stiffness in the arms or legs)
- Shooting pain or tingling in the neck, back or abdomen
neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), MS or a different condition - Neurologic exam of your thinking, vision, hearing, sensations, strength, swallowing, reflexes, coordination, walking and balance
- MRI of your brain, optic nerves and spinal cord
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to examine cerebrospinal fluid
- Eye scans and vision tests
- Blood tests
A diagnosis of MOGAD is generally made when you have:
- MOG antibodies in your blood
- Certain other demyelinating disorders, such as optic neuritis, transverse myelitis or ADEM
- A medical history to identify any past or present symptoms that might be caused by MOGAD, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), MS or a different condition
- Neurologic exam of your thinking, vision, hearing, sensations, strength, swallowing, reflexes, coordination, walking and balance
- MRI of your brain, optic nerves and spinal cord
- Spinal tap (lumbar puncture) to examine cerebrospinal fluid
- Eye scans and vision tests
- Blood tests
We are still learning about the total number of people living with MOGAD.
- MOGAD seems to be equally common among men and women.
- MOGAD presents in both adults and children.
- MOGAD presents differently in adults and children.
- In children, MOGAD more commonly causes attacks on the brain, resulting in symptoms like confusion, lack of coordination, double vision, nausea and vomiting.
- In adults, MOGAD often causes damage to the eyes (optic neuritis) and/or spinal cord (transverse myelitis).
- MOGAD is not clearly associated with any particular race.
MOGAD, like MS and NMOSD, is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. However, it is different from these other conditions in these ways:
- MOGAD and NMOSD frequently affect both eyes at the same time and cause more severe vision loss than MS. Often, recovery of vision in MOGAD is better than in NMOSD.
- MOGAD is equally common in men and women, whereas women are more likely to develop both MS and NMOSD.
- In children, MOGAD may cause attacks of the brain rather than the eye or spinal cord. These attacks are called “acute disseminated encephalomyelitis” or “ADEM.”
- People with MOGAD often have an excellent response to steroids and recover much of the function they had before an attack.
- After the first attack, about half of people with MOGAD may have no further attacks, unlike people with NMOSD and MS, who are very likely to have relapses.
- Cellcept medication guide
- Rituxan medication guide
- Actemra medication guide
Acute MOGAD attacks may be treated in several ways:
- Intravenous (infusion through the vein) high-dose steroids are given to reduce inflammation of the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a treatment made from purified antibodies from healthy blood plasma donations. Plasma is the liquid part of the blood. IVIG is given through a drip infusion through a vein in your arm for several hours. Studies have shown that IVIG reduces the activity in certain immune diseases by decreasing inflammation.
- Plasma Exchange (PLEX) can be used for severe attacks or if no improvement occurs with high-dose steroids. The goal of PLEX is to lower the level of anti-MOG antibodies in the blood. PLEX involves removing blood from the body through a needle and tubing. Through a series of steps, the plasma is separated from blood cells and replaced with artificial plasma. The plasma substitute and blood cells are then combined and returned to the body through an intravenous line. The procedure lasts several hours and may be repeated multiple times over a number of days.
- Azathioprine (Azasan® and Imuran®)
- Azasan medication guide
- Imuran medication guide
- Immunoglobulin (either intravenous infusion or subcutaneous injection)
- Mycophenolate mofetil (Cellcept®)
- Cellcept medication guide
- Prednisone
- Rituximab (Rituxan®) and biosimilars
- Rituxan medication guide
- Tocilizumab (Actemra®)
- Actemra medication guide
