Glatiramer acetate (GA) is not beneficial for preventing attacks in most patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), particularly in aquaporin-4 antibody-positive cases. This according to a study of 23 patients with NMOSD who were treated with GA, including 16 who were aquaporin-4 antibody-positive. Researchers found:

• GA was given for < 6 months in 7 patients; 3 stopped for relapses, 2 stopped after confirmation of NMOSD, and 2 stopped for side effects.

• Of 16 patients treated with GA for ≥6 months, 14 experienced at least 1 relapse.

• No reduction in mean annualized relapse rate was seen in the total group, in those who were aquaporin-4 antibody-positive, nor those who had a history of prior immunotherapy or not.

• Median expanded disability status scale increased.

• GA therapy was discontinued in 15/16 patients; reasons were inefficacy in 13 and post-injection skin reactions in 2.

Citation: Ayzenberg I, Schӧllhammer J, Hoepner R, et al. Efficacy of glatiramer acetate in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a multicenter retrospective study. [Published online ahead of print January 25, 2016]. J Neurol. doi: 10.1007/s00415-015-7991-1.