Demystifying NMO & MOG

Chelsey again speaks with Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Galetta, both practicing neurologists at Brigham and Women's Hospital and associated with Harvard Medical School. On this episode, they focus their discussion on postpartum considerations in NMOSD patients. They chat about topics that women living with NMO may experience immediately following giving birth. Questions covered: What do I need to know about breastfeeding? What do we know about treatment safety with breastfeeding? What about managing NMO symptoms postpartum? Postpartum depression? Who can provide support and help? Is NMO heritable?

On this episode, Chelsey follows up on the topic of sex and NMO and gets into a discussion on pregnancy with NMO. Chelsey explores this topic with Tamara Kaplan, MD and Kristin Galetta, MD, both practicing at Brigham and Women's Hospital and associated with Harvard Medical School. They discuss managing NMO treatments with pregnancy, how to treat a relapse while pregnant, potential safety concerns and more. Both Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Galetta emphasize that a successful pregnancy is possible while managing NMO, but it's crucial to have a planned approach with a trusted clinician. Listen for an in-depth talk that aims to inform about many key questions on NMO and pregnancy.

Sexual dysfunction is a common invisible symptom in NMOSD, but given the intimate nature of the topic, it's not discussed as much as it should. What exactly is sexual dysfunction? What causes it? What can be done about it? Hear the answers in a discussion between Chelsey and Dr. Tamara Kaplan, a neurologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and assistant professor in neurology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Kaplan shares her expertise in treating NMOSD and MS patients, including managing sexual dysfunction.

In episode 3 of Demystifying NMO, Chelsey shares her conversations with 3 inspiring individuals living with NMOSD: Chelsey Tucker, Ron Crowe and Marie Newbrough. In their chats, they share their experiences and emotional journeys through finding their NMO diagnosis and coping with the loss of their old lives. Each tell how they have worked to manage these whirlwind emotions, and have even found new perspectives that in some ways make them find gratitude in the new lives. We hope you appreciate this very special Thanksgiving episode.

Episode 2 of Demystifying NMO by The Sumaira Foundation (TSF) for NMO and Connor B Judge Foundation (CBFJ) focuses on NMO Treatments: Acute vs Maintenance. Follow along to hear a candid conversation between Connor, of the CBJF and NMO patient, and his sister Chelsey, also scientific advisor with the CBJF. In their discussion, they talk about the differences in treatments to manage an active relapse versus to help prevent relapse.

Glossary of Terms Used

AQP4: aquaporin-4; a water channel protein found in the CNS; antibodies can be made against this in NMOSD patients

B-cell: a white blood cell that is a key component of the adaptive immune system and makes antibodies

Immunosuppressant: a medication that reduces/supresses the function of some immune system component

MOG: myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein; a myelin protein; antibodies can be made against this in some NMOSD patients

Relapse: clinical disease activity/clinical worsening

The Sumaira Foundation and Connor B Judge Foundation are proud to present their first episode of their new joint podcast, 'Demystifying NMO!' Follow along with Austin Hoover, who lives with multiple sclerosis (the 'cousin' of NMO), and Chelsey Judge, PhD immunologist, as they chat about the basic science of autoimmune disease and NMO. They'll cover 3 main questions: 1) What is an autoimmune disease? 2) How does autoimmunity happen? 3) How does the immune response contribute to NMO?

Glossary of Key Terms Discussed:

Antigen: a particular component of a molecule/substance that the immune system recognizes

Autoimmune disease: when the immune system targets some component of its own body and reacts against it

Immune tolerance:When the immune system decides not to react against an antigen; ‘don’t react’

Anergy: when an immune cell becomes exhausted or functionless

Serum: a component of the blood that contains proteins, including antibodies

Seropositive: NMOSD patients who have the autoreactive AQP4 antibody in their serum

Seronegative: NMOSD patients who do not have the anti-AQP4 antibody in their serum