KITAGAWA KAZUO    Department   Other, Other    Position
Article types	Original article
Language	English
Peer review	Peer reviewed
Title	Japanese cases of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder associated with myasthenia gravis and a review of the literature.
Journal	Formal name：Clinical neurology and neurosurgery Abbreviation：Clin Neurol Neurosurg ISSN code：18726968/03038467
Domestic / Foregin	Foregin
Volume, Issue, Page	125,pp.217-221
Author and coauthor	Ikeguchi Ryotaro†, Shimizu Yuko, Suzuki Shigeaki, Shimizu Satoru, Kabasawa Chiaki, Hashimoto Shiori, Masuda Masayuki, Nagane Yuriko, Utsugisawa Kimiaki, Suzuki Yasushi, Takahashi Toshiyuki, Utsumi Hiroya, Fujihara Kazuo, Suzuki Norihiro, Uchiyama Shinichiro
Publication date	2014/10
Summary	BACKGROUND:The incidence of concurrent myasthenia gravis (MG) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is higher than what chance predicts, yet it remains unclear why MG and NMOSD appear concurrently.OBJECTIVE:The purpose of the present study was to examine the clinical features of the concurrence of these diseases.METHODS:Clinical details were analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS:Three (0.5%) out of 631 MG patients had confirmed (n=2) or suspected (n=1) NMOSD. Two of these patients were women. All showed early-onset MG (EOMG) that preceded NMOSD and were positive for acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR-Ab). Two patients were tested for aquaporin 4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) and were positive. Two patients were treated with a thymectomy that preceded NMOSD. Two patients had decreased frequency of regulatory T (Treg) cells. We identified in the literature 46 patients with both MG and NMOSD. Our results of female predominance, EOMG, MG preceding NMOSD, and positive AChR-Ab are consistent with previous descriptions.CONCLUSIONS:This is the first report to examine the frequency of NMOSD in Japanese patients with MG. The reduction and/or dysfunction of Treg cells may be one cause of NMOSD development in MG.
DOI	10.1016/j.clineuro.2014.07.036
PMID	25178916