Devic's Disease

Research

Specialists at Mayo Clinic are nationally known leaders in multiple sclerosis and MS-related disease (such as Devic's disease) research and have recognized expertise in managing complex cases.

Mayo Clinic research related to Devic's disease includes:

• Treatment of severe acute attacks of demyelinating disorders with the use of plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin
• Evaluation of clinical and serological factors that assist with diagnosis and may predict response to treatment with these agents.

Researchers have found that approximately 60 percent of patients who respond to conventional treatment with corticosteroids will respond to plasma exchange. Several researchers are working to develop valid and sensitive outcome measures to speed the evaluation of new therapies.

Mayo Clinic researchers are conducting immunological and molecular genetic research to identify the specific target of the damaging immune response that leads to Devic's disease. A new report shows conclusively that the molecular target of the new antibody reported in Lancet, Dec 2004, is an antigen called aquaporin 4. This is the first instance where an antigen (molecular target of the immune system) has been discovered for a type of MS. This opens the possibility of new, more specific treatments. (See Antibody test.)

Mayo Publications

See a list of publications by Mayo Clinic doctors on Devic's disease on PubMed, a service of the National Library of Medicine.