Doctors Warn That COVID-19 Vaccines Can Cause Very-Late-Onset Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in Some!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Apr 27, 2025 8 hours, 23 minutes ago
Medical News: COVID-19 Vaccines Under Scrutiny After Rare Disorder Emerges in Elderly
Medical researchers from the Department of Neurology at the Central Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University and Cheeloo College of Medicine at Shandong University in China have issued a serious warning. They are reporting that COVID-19 vaccines could be linked to the development of very-late-onset neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (VLO-NMOSD) in some individuals.
Doctors Warn That COVID-19 Vaccines Can Cause Very-Late-Onset Neuromyelitis Optica
Spectrum Disorder in Some!
Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare but devastating autoimmune condition. It primarily attacks the spinal cord and optic nerves, often causing blindness, muscle weakness, and paralysis. Typically, NMOSD is diagnosed in younger or middle-aged adults, with the average age of onset being around 38 years. However, this
Medical News report sheds light on a worrying new trend—cases emerging in the elderly after receiving COVID-19 vaccinations.
An Alarming Case Involving a 92-Year-Old Woman
In the case study, doctors reported a 92-year-old woman, now the oldest known patient to be diagnosed with NMOSD globally. The woman was admitted to the hospital with a three-day fever and sudden weakness in both legs just a week after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. She also experienced urinary retention but no chest or neck pain.
On examination, doctors found decreased sensation below her chest area and signs suggesting severe spinal cord involvement. MRI scans confirmed extensive inflammation in her spinal cord. Laboratory tests also revealed the presence of anti-AQP4 antibodies, which are a hallmark indicator of NMOSD.
The woman was initially treated with intravenous immunoglobulins and corticosteroids. However, due to her age and complications such as infections, she was switched to a newer treatment called satralizumab, a drug that blocks interleukin-6 (IL-6) signaling—a pathway known to drive inflammation. Over time, her condition improved, and she was able to stand with support.
Why Is Very-Late-Onset NMOSD Dangerous?
Typically, NMOSD that develops after age 50, called late-onset NMOSD (LO-NMOSD), is already more severe than early-onset cases. Patients like the 92-year-old woman, who develop the disease after 70, fall into an even riskier group called very-late-onset NMOSD. These cases often involve worse disabilities, faster disease progression, and a greater chance of complications. Elderly patients are particularly vulnerable due to weakened immune systems and the presence of other illnesses like hypertension or diabetes.
Adding to the concern, the researchers pointed out that most COVID-19 vaccine studies were never designed to evaluate the long-term effects on elderly populations or the risk of triggering autoimmune diseases like NMOSD.
Possible Mechanisms Behind the Connection
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Although the exact mechanisms remain unclear, scientists believe that the COVID-19 virus and its vaccine may share molecular structures with human tissues. This "molecular mimicry" can confuse the immune system, causing it to mistakenly attack the body's own nervous system. Research has found that antibodies generated by the vaccine can cross-react with at least 21 different human tissue proteins, offering a plausible explanation for these autoimmune complications.
Furthermore, aging naturally increases levels of inflammatory chemicals like interleukin-6 in the body, making older people even more susceptible to an exaggerated immune response after vaccination.
The Promise of Satralizumab Treatment
Satralizumab, which was used successfully in this case, is a newer monoclonal antibody drug that inhibits IL-6 receptors. This helps to dampen the damaging immune response without completely shutting down the immune system, which is critical for elderly patients who are more prone to infections. Although clinical trials for satralizumab initially involved only patients under 75 years old, this real-world case demonstrates that it might also be safe and effective for older individuals with NMOSD.
After 11 months of treatment with satralizumab, the patient in the study has shown no signs of relapse, and no serious adverse events have been recorded, including major infections. Her MRI scans showed improvements, and her disability score also decreased, indicating better mobility and quality of life.
Conclusions
This case strongly suggests that COVID-19 vaccines could potentially trigger very-late-onset NMOSD in some individuals, particularly the elderly. Although the vaccines have been crucial in combating COVID-19 globally, this finding underscores the importance of continuous monitoring for rare but serious side effects, especially in vulnerable populations. Doctors should maintain a high degree of vigilance when treating elderly patients who develop unusual neurological symptoms after vaccination. Newer treatments like satralizumab offer hope, but larger studies are urgently needed to better understand the long-term safety and efficacy of these therapies in older patients. It also highlights the need for more tailored vaccination strategies that consider age and underlying health conditions.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Frontiers in Neurology.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1559872/full
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