Based on these observations, Hu and Lucchinetti propose that binding of NMO-IgG to AQP4 in astrocytic foot processes initiates complement-mediated effects but also disrupts glutamate homeostasis, which can lead to oligodendrocyte injury in the spinal cord and optic nerves, both of which are highly sensitive structures to fluctuations in ambient glutamate concentrations [61]. This evidence concerns the gene AQP4 and neuromyelitis optica.