To trace microstructural changes in patients with aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-ab)-seropositive neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSDs) by investigating the afferent visual system in patients without clinically overt visual symptoms or visual pathway lesions.
Of 51 screened patients with NMOSD from a longitudinal observational cohort study, we compared 6 AQP4-ab–seropositive NMOSD patients with longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM) but no history of optic neuritis (ON) or other bout (NMOSD-LETM) to 19 AQP4-ab–seropositive NMOSD patients with previous ON (NMOSD-ON) and 26 healthy controls (HCs). Foveal thickness (FT), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness, and ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness were measured with optical coherence tomography (OCT). Microstructural changes in the optic radiation (OR) were investigated using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Visual function was determined by high-contrast visual acuity (VA). OCT results were confirmed in a second independent cohort.
FT was reduced in both patients with NMOSD-LETM ( p = 3.52e −14) and NMOSD-ON ( p = 1.24e −16) in comparison with HC. Probabilistic tractography showed fractional anisotropy reduction in the OR in patients with NMOSD-LETM ( p = 0.046) and NMOSD-ON ( p = 1.50e −5) compared with HC. Only patients with NMOSD-ON but not NMOSD-LETM showed neuroaxonal damage in the form of pRNFL and GCIPL thinning. VA was normal in patients with NMOSD-LETM and was not associated with OCT or DTI parameters.
(1) Bayer, Travel Compensation(2) Merck Serono, Travel Compensation(3) ECTRIMS (non-profit), travel grant(4) Neurowind e.V. (non-profit), travel grant
Kompetenznetz Multiple Sklerose (KKNMS), research grantfrom the Bundesministerium f?r Bildung und Forschung
Kommission f?r Klinische Foschung (KKF), intramuralresearch grant within the Technical University of Munich
1. “Electrophysiological visual field measurement”Klistorner and Graham 1999, PCT/AU99/003402. “Method and apparatus for objectiveelectrophysiological assessment of visual function”Klistorner and Graham 2001, PCT/AU01/004233. ?Stimulus Method for Multifocal Visual EvokedPotential? Klistorner and Graham (Australian PatentApplication No 2007900803) 4. ?Flexible electrode assembly and apparatus formeasuring electrophysiological signals? Cheng, Klistorner,Graham (Australian Provisional Patent # 2006904755) 5. ?Apparatus for measuring electrophysiological signals?Cheng, Klistorner, Dyer - Australian Design No. 310666. 6. ? Flexible printed circuit board electrode assembly?Cheng, Klistorner, Dyer - Australian Design No. 311943.
1. Sydney University Foundation for Medical Research2. Sydney eye hospital foundation
(1)Bayer Healthcare, travel and speaker honoraria(2)Biogen Idec, travel and speaker honoraria(3)Merck Serono, travel and speaker honoraria(4)sanofi-aventis/Genzyme, travel and speaker honoraria(5)Teva Pharmaceuticals, travel and speaker honoraria(6)Novartis, travel and speaker honoraria(7)Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation, travel honoraria
(1)German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF/KKNMS, Competence Network Multiple Sclerosis)
speaker honoraria and travel grants from Bayer, Novartis, Biogen Idec, Teva, Sanofi-Aventis / Genzyme, and Merck Serono, Alexion, Chugai, MedImmune, Shire
Academic Editor, PLoS ONEAssociate Editor, Neurology Neuroimmunology andNeuroinflammation
Research support from from Bayer, Novartis, Biogen Idec, Teva, Sanofi-Aventis / Genzyme, Alexion and Merck Serono
German Research Council (DFG Exc 257), Werth Stiftung of the City of Cologne, German Ministry ofEducation and Research (BMBF Competence Network MultipleSclerosis), Arthur Arnstein Stiftung Berlin, EU FP7Framework Program (combims.eu)
Arthur Arnstein Foundation Berlin, Guthy JacksonCharitable Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Societyof the USA
(1) Novartis, funding for travel to conference(2) Biogen, funding for travel to conference(4) Teva, speaker honoraria
(1) Pending patent Method and System For OpticNerve Head Shape Quantification.(2) Pending patent Perceptive Visual Computingbased Postural Control Analysis.(3) Pending patent Multiple Sclerosis Biomarker.(4) Pending patent Perceptive Sleep MotionAnalysis
(1) BMWi, ZIM KF2443803KJ, PI, two years(2) BMWi, ZIM KF2291305AK3, Co-I, one year(3) BMWI, EXIST-FT 03EFEBE079, PI, two years(4) BMBF, NEU2 N2-ADVISIMS, Co-I, three years
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