101. I have MOGAD. Now what?

In “I have MOGAD. Now what?” the first episode of the “ABCs of MOGAD” series, Krissy Dilger of SRNA was joined by Dr. Michael Levy. Dr. Levy explained the MOG antibody disease diagnosis, including its autoimmune nature and symptoms [00:01:12]. The discussion covered the history and evolution of the disorder, distinguishing it from other disorders like multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica [00:05:24]. Dr. Levy detailed the diagnostic process, including antibody tests, MRIs, and clinical criteria [00:13:47]. The episode also explored treatment options, long-term effects, and the prognosis of the disease [00:29:30].

Michael Levy, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Research Director of the Division of Neuroimmunology & Neuroinfectious Disease. He completed the MD/PhD program at Baylor College of Medicine with a focus on neuroscience. In 2009, Dr. Levy was appointed to the faculty as Assistant Professor at Johns Hopkins where he started the Neuromyelitis Optica Clinic and Research Laboratory and in 2019 he moved to the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School to develop the research program in neuroimmunology.

Clinically, Dr. Levy specializes in taking care of patients with rare neuroimmunological diseases including neuromyelitis optica, transverse myelitis, MOG antibody disease, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis and optic neuritis. In addition to neuroimmunology clinics, Dr. Levy has a special interest in patients with superficial siderosis of the central nervous system. Dr. Levy is the principal investigator on several clinical studies and drug trials for all of these conditions.

In the laboratory, Dr. Levy’s research focuses on the development of animal models of neuromyelitis optica and transverse myelitis with the goal of tolerization as a sustainable long-term treatment.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:33 Understanding MOG Antibody Disease
03:09 History and Discovery of MOG Antibody Disease
06:13 Diagnostic Process for MOG Antibody Disease
09:09 Acute and Long-Term Treatment Options
14:33 Choosing the Right Treatment
16:01 Rehabilitation and Follow-Up
18:42 Long-Term Effects and Prognosis
22:19 Conclusion and Future Discussions