Serum GFAP levels in optic neuropathies

Serum GFAP levels in optic neuropathies

BACKGROUND Complement mediated autoimmunity against aquaporin-4 results in astrocytic damage in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). There is evidence for increased CSF glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100B levels in acute NMO. Here we tested whether the CSF finding also holds true for the diagnostic value of serum GFAP and S100B levels in NMO. METHODS A multicentre study included 322 patie...

Mitochondrial optic neuropathies.

AutoiMMune/inflAMMAtory optic neuropAthies

InTRoDUCTIon Inflammatory, demyelinating optic neuritis is one of the most common optic neuropathies in young adults. It occurs idiopathically, or in association with multiple sclerosis, and follows a typical course of progressing visual dysfunction often with pain for one – two weeks, followed by significant resolution over the next few weeks. Due to the characteristic presentation and frequen...

The toxic optic neuropathies.

As is common knowledge, there is an argument as to whether or not the toxic radical cyanide is an important aetiological agent responsible for the development of some of the conditions grouped under the term toxic amblyopia. There are arguments and counterarguments, and it would appear useful at this stage to state the evidence for and against cyanide as a cause of these conditions. The argumen...

Inherited mitochondrial optic neuropathies

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and autosomal dominant optic atrophy (DOA) are the two most common inherited optic neuropathies and they result in significant visual morbidity among young adults. Both disorders are the result of mitochondrial dysfunction: LHON from primary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations affecting the respiratory chain complexes; and the majority of DOA families ha...