brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD)
Diagnosis of NMOSD
A doctor's evaluation Magnetic resonance imaging Visual evoked responses Blood tests To diagnose neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, doctors evaluate the nervous system ( Neurologic Examination ) during a physical examination. The optic nerve is examined with an Usually, tests include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) (MRI) of the brain to rule out multiple sclerosis. MRI of the spinal cord and When the visual evoked responses test is used to diagnose neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, stimuli for sight (such as a flashing light) are used to activate certain areas of the brain. Then, Electroencephalography is used to detect the response to the stimuli. Based on these responses, doctors can tell how well the optic nerve is working. Blood tests to detect specific antibodies to aquaporin 4 and to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein may be done to distinguish neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder from multiple sclerosis. ( Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system to help defend the body against a particular attacker.) 