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Biomedical subjects

T Shiojima

Publications and source records attributed to T Shiojima.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Neuroprotective effect of basic fibroblast growth factor on wobbler mouse motor neuron disease.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) possesses neuroprotective effects on a variety of neurons. Here we report that it delays progression of motor neuron disease (MND) in the wobbler mouse. After initial diagnosis of MND at post-natal age 3-4 weeks, wobbler mice receive either recombinant human bFGF (1 mg kg-1, n = 10) or vehicle (n = 10), daily for weeks by subcutaneous injection in a blind fashion. We performed symptomatic and neuropathological assessments in both groups. The treatment was fulfilled at 7-8 weeks of age. In comparison with vehicle, bFGF treatment potentiated grip strength (p < 0.008), attenuated forelimb contracture (p < 0.003), and increased weight of the biceps muscle (p < 0.008). bFGF-treated mice retarded denervation muscle atrophy (p < 0.001) and degeneration of spinal motoneurons (p < 0.001). Our study shows that bFGF treatment is beneficial in a murine MND model. We provide a rationale that bFGF may have therapeutic potential in peripheral motor neuropathy or MND.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Deprenyl enhances neurite outgrowth in cultured rat spinal ventral horn neurons.

Deprenyl, a selective monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, is effective in Parkinson's disease, and can slow the cognitive deterioration in Alzheimer's disease. However, it is not known whether this agent has a trophic effect on spinal motor neurons. We have studied neurotrophic effects of deprenyl on spinal motor neurons, using explanted ventral spinal cord culture from 13-day-old rat embryos. Deprenyl-treated cultures significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth with cultures of ventral spinal cord. Our data suggest that deprenyl is one of the candidate for neurotrophic factors on spinal motor neurons in vitro. A possible role for deprenyl in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis remains to be defined.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Neuropsychological function before and after plasma exchange in myasthenia gravis.

This study was designed to determine whether there are cognitive and memory impairments in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Five female patients with MG were tested on two occasions, 4-6 days apart, prior to plasma exchange and after plasma exchange. All subjects had 2-4 separate plasma exchanges. The subjects were tested with mini-mental state examination (MMS), Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS) and a logical memory test. The MG group was significantly impaired compared to the control group on all tests prior to plasma exchange. The MG patients improved in motor function with plasma exchange. In addition, the mean MMS score improved from 26.4 to 28.2 and the mean SDS score improved from 0.46 to 0.39 and the mean immediate logical memory score improved from 5.8 to 8.4 and mean delayed logical memory score improved from 5.8 to 8.0. These improvements were all significant (P < 0.05). The results support the hypothesis that MG has central cholinergic effects, manifested by cognitive dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Increased plasma concentrations of aspartate, glutamate and glycine in Parkinson's disease.

We measured fasting plasma amino acids in 20 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 20 controls matched for age and sex. PD patients had significant elevations in plasma levels of aspartate, glutamate and glycine. The levels of other amino acids were not significantly different from those found in controls. No correlation was noted between PD severity and the degree of abnormality of plasma amino acids. We conclude that excitatory amino acids may be altered in patients with PD, and raise the possibility that neuroexcitotoxic mechanisms may be involved in the neurodegeneration of PD.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

TRH analogue, TA-0910 (3-methyl-(s)-5,6-dihydroorotyl-L-histidyl-L-prolinamide) enhances neurite outgrowth in rat embryo ventral spinal cord in vitro.

We have studied effects of TRH analogue, TA-0910 (3-methyl-(s)-5,6-dihydroorotyl-L-histidyl-L-prolinamide) (from Tanabe, Osaka, Japan) on explanted ventral and dorsal spinal cord cultures from 13- and 14-day-old rat embryos. TA-0910-treated cultures had significantly increased neurite outgrowth with cultures of ventral spinal cord, but not with cultures of dorsal spinal cord. The effect was dose-dependent. A possible role for TRH in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis remains to be defined.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Trophic effect of angiotensin II, vasopressin and other peptides on the cultured ventral spinal cord of rat embryo.

We studied trophic effects of angiotensin II, vasopressin, cholecystokinin, and oxytocin on explanted ventral spinal cord cultures from 13- and 14-day-old rat embryos. There was a significant neurite promoting effect of the spinal cord cultures by using angiotensin II, vasopressin, and cholecystokinin. Cholecystokinin had the most potent effect at any concentrations. The minimum effective concentration was 10(-8) M in angiotensin II and vasopressin and 10(-12) M in cholecystokinin, respectively. The effect of angiotensin II and vasopressin was dependent on concentrations. However, the rate and grade of neurite appearance did not correlate with the concentrations of cholecystokinin. Oxytocin had no neurotrophic effect at any concentrations. Our results demonstrated that angiotensin II, vasopressin and cholecystokinin have neurotrophic effects on the ventral spinal cord in cultures, and may be candidates for therapeutic trials of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed1991

Muscle morphometry in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Quadriceps muscle biopsies from 24 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 15 age-matched controls were prepared for histochemistry and analyzed morphometrically. Pathological features for denervation and reinnervation were observed in most ALS patients, although considerable variation between patients was noted. Myopathic changes were also seen in one-third of the cases. The morphometric data were not only related to the duration and mean diameter of type I fiber, but also to the duration and hypertrophy factor of type II fiber, suggesting that the progression and severity of ALS depends on the preservation of both fibers.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Oral syndrome: an incomplete form of cheiro-oral syndrome?

Cheiro-oral syndrome is a sensory disturbance observed around the corner of the mouth and the palm of the hand on the same side. We had an opportunity to observe a patient in whom sensory disturbance was limited only around the corner of the left mouth but not the hands or other findings. Computed tomography of the brain showed a low density area in the right thalamus. Could our case be called oral syndrome: incomplete form of cheiro-oral syndrome? We have to ask whether the our case is an oral syndrome or whether our case has to be regarded as a thalamic infarction.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

MRI in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: correlation with clinical features.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was performed in 10 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the findings were evaluated. Four patients had asymmetrical areas of increased signal intensity in the white matter. All patients showing abnormal MRI were young, had a longer clinical course, and clinically were more disabled. These MRI abnormalities were related to the pathological changes in the central white matter of patients with ALS and possible explanations for these findings in ALS are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Thyroid function in patients with chronic headache.

Headache is one of the neurological manifestations of hypothyroidism but it is unknown whether there is a relationship between hyperthyroidism and chronic headache. Thyroid function tests were performed in 30 patients with chronic headache. Six were found to have hyperthyroidism and none had hypothyroidism. Thyroid testing may be useful for differential diagnosis of chronic headache, and indicates that headache could be caused by hyperthyroidism.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Concurrence of myasthenia gravis and chorée fibrillaire de Morvan.

A case of myasthenia gravis associated with a syndrome resembling "chorée fibrillaire de Morvan" is described. This association has not been previously noted in the literature. It is postulated that this syndrome, when associated with myasthenia gravis, suggests an autoimmune pathogenesis, but prednisolone and plasmapheresis did not alter the symptoms. This case illustrates the fact that a separate entity should be considered when the clinical picture is not compatible with the underlying diagnosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Cognitive impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and its relation to motor disabilities.

The performance of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on selective neuropsychological tests was examined in regard to the applicability of such examinations to diagnosis. Eighteen patients with ALS, and 15 age- and education-matched controls were given a battery of tests designed to assess motor and intellectual functions. The ALS group displayed significantly lower scores on all tests than those in the control group. Correlation analyses on the several motor and neuropsychological results in ALS group revealed that there was a significant negative correlation between upper motor symptoms and mini-mental state examination, as well as memory tests.

Aged↗