NMO (Aquaporin 4)Neuromyelitis Optica Antibodies Serum Test

For Differential diagnosis of NMO from Multiple sclerosis Highly specific serum autoantibody markers are found very frequently in NMO, while they are not detected in Multiple sclerosis (MS) or healthy subjects.

Performed for patients suspected to be suffering from Neuromyelitis optica.

Neuromyelitis Optica is an inflammatory autoimmune disease causing demyelination of the central nervous system with degradation of the insulating sheath of at least one optical nerve (Neuritis nervi optici) and at the same time or few months later the spinal cord (Myelitis). NMO AQP4-Ab -are disease specific auto Ab, found in in 70-80% NMO Patients. Testing can be of diagnostic relevance independently of disease activity or treatment status.

The test is useful in the diagnosis of Neuromyelitis Optica, a CNS disorder and to differentiate it from Multiple Sclerosis. 

The test measures the presence of NMO antibodies in the blood serum. 

This test requires a blood sample. A tourniquet (elastic) band is placed tightly on the upper arm. The patient is then asked to make a fist. This helps in the build-up of blood filling the veins. The skin is disinfected before needle insertion and the blood sample is collected in vacutainer. 

Positive result helps in the diagnosis of NMO. It is considered as a specific biomarker to differentiate Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) or Devic`s disease from Multiple sclerosis(MS) 
and related disorders like relapsing transverse myelitis. 
Negative result indicates absence of NMO antibodies but further tests for MOG antibodies needs to be done to help the diagnosis.