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An IgG autoantibody specific for the astrocytic water channel aquaporin-4 is a clinically validated serum biomarker that has been shown to distinguish relapsing neuromyelitis optica (NMO) from multiple sclerosis (MS). Renewed scientific inquiry has followed the recognition that the clinical and radiologic spectrum of NMO is broader than the traditional concept of it as an inflammatory demyelinating disease restricted to the optic nerves and spinal cord. These authors describe the findings from brain MRI in 45 Chinese patients who fulfilled 2006 revised diagnostic criteria for NMO.
Of the 45 patients, 12 (27%) also fulfilled Barkhof MRI criteria for MS. Of the remaining 33 patients, 85% had abnormal brain MRI findings, mostly multifocal, incl…