Autoimmune conditions
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is an inflammatory central-nervous-system disease that often affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. Many cases involve aquaporin-4 antibodies targeting astrocytes; it is distinct from multiple sclerosis.
Other names and abbreviations
NMOSD · NMO · AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD · aquaporin-4 antibody disease · Neuromyelitis optica · Devic disease · Devic syndrome
Where transplant fits
Evidence is insufficient to support autologous transplantation outside clinical trials. When studied, it uses the patient’s own cells rather than a registry donor.
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatment and the person’s health. These categories are not estimates of donor demand.
Treatment at a glance
- Who it affects
- Occurs across ages and populations. Antibody results and clinical findings are important for diagnosis and treatment selection.
- Other treatment options
- Acute attacks need prompt treatment, and immune-directed medicines help prevent further attacks. Some targeted treatments have indications specifically for aquaporin-4-antibody-positive disease.
- Cells used for transplantation
- When performed, transplantation uses the patient’s own blood-forming stem cells, usually collected from peripheral blood.
Why the details matter
MOG-antibody-associated disease is a distinct condition and should not be pooled with NMOSD. An MS transplant recommendation cannot simply be transferred to NMOSD.
Questions to bring to your care team
What is the exact diagnosis or subtype? What is the goal of each treatment option? If transplant is being considered, why does it fit this situation, which cells would be used and what are the alternatives?
Sources and further reading
- ECTRIMS and EBMT recommendations on autologous transplantation in MS and NMOSD
European Academy of Neurology · 2025-03-05 - Autoimmune Disease
EBMT Handbook · 2024-04-11
Understanding can become action.
Some patients need a blood stem cell donor. Others receive different treatment. Wherever your interest began, you can help JBF reach more people who may be able to donate.
Explore the official registry serving where you live. It explains who can join, how registration works and what donation involves.
Find your official registryIf joining is not right for you, a gift to the Jada Bascom Foundation supports education, outreach and referrals to official registries.
Donate to JBFKeep learning
Why matching is hard: an interactive leukemia story
More in autoimmune conditions. Sharing a group does not mean sharing a treatment plan.
