Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Tomoyuki Akiyama

Publications and source records attributed to Tomoyuki Akiyama.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A population-based survey of childhood epilepsy in Okayama Prefecture, Japan: reclassification by a newly proposed diagnostic scheme of epilepsies in 2001.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the usefulness and problems of the newly proposed classification of epilepsies (International League Against Epilepsy: ILAE, 2001) in the epidemiological studies of epilepsy. We previously conducted an epidemiological study in Okayama Prefecture, Japan, in 1999, using the ILAE 1989 classification. Among 250,997 children under 13 years of age, 2220 epileptic patients were ascertained. In this study, we reclassified them according to the ILAE 2001 classification, focusing on axes 2 (seizure types) and 3 (syndromes). We were able to classify 1803 (95.0%) seizure types out of 1899 with detailed clinical information. In focal seizures, the most common were secondarily generalized seizures (88.6%), which generally do not represent a unique anatomic substrate. In generalized seizures, topic-clonic seizures (40.7%) and spasms (21.0%) were the most common. We identified only 269 (12.1%) patients with specific epilepsy syndromes out of the 2220. We classified 1761 patients without specific syndromic diagnoses only by axis 2, but the new concept of epileptic seizure types, representing a unique pathophysiologic mechanism and anatomic substrate, was not very meaningful in most cases, even in those with focal seizures.

Child↗

The mildest known case of Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy.

We present a 14-year-old boy with Fukuyama-type congenital muscular dystrophy (FCMD) who shows the mildest muscle weakness ever reported with this affliction and exceptionally mild mental retardation, but who has intractable epilepsy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the typical abnormalities of FCMD. Molecular genetic analyses revealed a 3 kb insertion mutation in the fukutin gene heterozygously. We could find no mutation in the coding region of the fukutin gene in the chromosome without a 3 kb insertion. The most probable mechanism of clinical manifestation in this patient could be either a mutation in the noncoding regions of the fukutin gene on the chromosome without the ancestral founder haplotype of FCMD, or an error in the process of transcription or translation. Another possibility is the abnormalities in other genes involved in the glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan, such as Fukutin-related protein and LARGE genes.

Adolescent↗

Topographic movie of ictal high-frequency oscillations on the brain surface using subdural EEG in neocortical epilepsy.

PURPOSE: To understand the rapid dynamic changes of ictal intracranial high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) in neocortical epilepsy. METHODS: We integrated multiple band frequency analysis and brain-surface topographic maps of HFOs from ictal subdural EEG (SDEEG) recordings. We used SDEEG to record partial seizures consisting of right-arm jerks with secondary generalization in a 17-year-old right-handed girl. We selected 20-s EEG sections that included preclinical seizure recordings. We averaged the HFO power between 60 and 120 Hz for 25 selected electrodes, made topographic maps from these averaged powers, and superimposed the maps on the brain-surface image. We filmed consecutive HFO maps at a 10-ms frame rate. RESULTS: Before clinical seizure onset, high-power HFOs emerged at the superior portion of the left precentral gyrus, then appeared in the middle of the left postcentral gyrus, and subsequently reverberated between both regions as well as the posterior portion of the left postcentral gyrus. Right-arm extension and facial grimacing started as the HFO power decreased. As generalized tonic-clonic seizures evolved, HFO power increased but remained within the central region. CONCLUSIONS: Topographic movies of intracranial HFOs on the brain surface allow visualization of the dynamic ictal changes in neocortical epilepsy.

Adolescent↗

EEG and seizure exacerbation induced by carbamazepine in Panayiotopoulos syndrome.

We report on a 4-year 8-month-old boy with Panayiotopoulos syndrome who showed atypical evolution with newly developed absence seizures and EEG exacerbation induced by carbamazepine. Soon after the introduction of carbamazepine, EEGs began to worsen, and finally absence seizures and myoclonic seizures appeared. Immediately after we discontinued carbamazepine, the seizures disappeared and the EEG improved. Carbamazepine may induce unusual electroclinical features, electrophysiologically explained by bilateral synchrony. This case provides more evidence of the close links between Panayiotopoulos syndrome and benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes.

Anticonvulsants↗

Focal cortical high-frequency oscillations trigger epileptic spasms: confirmation by digital video subdural EEG.

OBJECTIVE: To localize high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) on the cortex during epileptic spasms using video subdural EEG and Multiple Band Frequency Analysis (MBFA). METHODS: Using video subdural EEG sampled at 1 kHz, we studied a 14-year-old boy with asymmetric epileptic spasms of possible left frontal origin. We identified HFOs, then analyzed and localized their distributions by MBFA. We correlated HFO distribution to clinical spasm intensity. RESULTS: Ictal subdural EEG recorded HFOs at 60-150 Hz lasting 0.3-4 s. MBFA showed extensive but noncontiguous distribution of HFOs predominantly over the left frontal and temporal regions. HFOs began and became quasiperiodic before manifestation of clinical spasms. As clinical spasms intensified, HFOs persisted in regions where they initiated subclinically but were of higher frequency and greater power than HFOs in other regions. We performed cortical resections over the left frontal and temporal regions with predominant HFOs. Six months after surgery, the patient remained seizure free. CONCLUSIONS: HFOs were present over the ictal onset zone during epileptic spasms. Periodic spasms in this patient had the characteristics of partial seizures. SIGNIFICANCE: We show that HFOs occurred over the cerebral cortex during epileptic spasms, and we suggest that these focal cortical HFOs triggered the spasms.

Adolescent↗

Incadronate disodium inhibits joint destruction and periarticular bone loss only in the early phase of rat adjuvant-induced arthritis.

Destruction of articular cartilage and subchondral bone loss in the affected joints of rat adjuvant arthritis have never been quantified histologically. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incadronate disodium on joint destruction and periarticular bone loss, using histomorphometric measurements. Seven-week-old female Lewis rats were injected with 0.1 mg of heat-killed Mycobacterium butyricum into the tail base. Immediately after sensitization, vehicle, or incadronate at 10 or 100 microg/kg per day, was administered subcutaneously, three times per week. Hind-paw volume was measured weekly and the animals were killed at 2, 4, 6, and 10 weeks after sensitization. After taking X-rays, decalcified sagittal sections of the ankle joint were prepared and stained with toluidine blue and tartarate-resistant acid phosphatase. Articular cartilage destruction and subchondral bone loss were evaluated histomorphometrically. At 2 weeks after sensitization, no radiographic or histologic changes were observed. However, at 4 weeks, severe articular cartilage destruction and subchondral bone loss were found in the arthritic control group, while these changes were inhibited dose-dependently by incadronate treatment. At 6 and 10 weeks, both the destructive changes and the bone loss had further progressed, and they were not inhibited by incadronate treatment. Incadronate dose-dependently inhibited articular cartilage destruction and subchondral bone loss at 4 weeks after sensitization in this adjuvant arthritis model. However, the suppressive effects of incadronate did not continue until 6 and 10 weeks.

Animals↗

Human parathyroid hormone (1-34) accelerates the fracture healing process of woven to lamellar bone replacement and new cortical shell formation in rat femora.

This study aimed to test whether intermittent treatment of human parathyroid hormone [hPTH(1-34)] disturbs or accelerates the fracture healing process using rat surgical osteotomy model. One hundred five, 5-week-old SD rats were allocated to vehicle control (CNT) and four PTH groups; 10 and 30 microg/kg of hPTH(1-34) treatment before surgery (P10, P30), and treatment before and after surgery (C10, C30). All animals were given subcutaneous injections three times a week for 3 weeks. Then, fractures were produced by transversely cutting the midshaft of bilateral femora and fixing with intramedullary wire. Human PTH(1-34) treatment was continued in C10 and C30 groups until sacrifice at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery. The femora were assessed by peripheral quantitative computed tomography, three-point bending mechanical test, and histomorphometry. Total cross-sectional area was not significantly different among all groups at any time point. At 3 weeks after surgery, the lamellar bone/callus area was significantly increased in C10 and C30 groups compared to the other groups. At 6 weeks, remodeling of woven bone to lamellar bone in the callus was almost complete in all groups. At 12 weeks, percent new cortical shell area was significantly higher in C10 and C30 groups compared to the other groups, and the ultimate load in mechanical testing was significantly higher in C30 group than in CNT, P10, and P30 groups. Intermittent PTH treatment at 30 microg/kg before and after osteotomy accelerated the healing process as evidenced by earlier replacement of woven bone to lamellar bone, increased new cortical shell formation, and increased the ultimate load up to 12 weeks after osteotomy.

Animals↗

Partial seizures triggering infantile spasms in the presence of a basal ganglia glioma.

Infantile spasms associated with brain tumors have been reported. A focal cortical lesion can induce infantile spasms by triggering the brainstem and basal ganglia in this vulnerable age group. We report the case of a female infant with a low-grade glioma in the right basal ganglia, spreading to the cortical area. She presented at the age of five months with left hemiparesis and partial seizures. She developed infantile spasms at the age of 12 months. This is the first video clip report of partial seizures triggering symmetrical spasms in series, secondary to a basal ganglia glioma extending to the cortex. [Published with video sequences].

Anticonvulsants↗

Suppressed bone turnover by long-term bisphosphonate treatment accumulates microdamage but maintains intrinsic material properties in cortical bone of dog rib.

UNLABELLED: Effects of long-term suppression of bone remodeling by bisphosphonate were investigated in cortical bone of dog rib. Although microdamage was accumulated, BMD was increased without increasing cortical bone area. Consequently, the intrinsic material properties were not reduced. INTRODUCTION: Recently, we have reported that long-term suppression of bone remodeling increases microdamage accumulation but is not necessarily associated with vertebral fragility because of compensated increase of bone mass and improved microarchitecture. This study aimed to investigate the effect of long-term suppression of bone remodeling by bisphosphonate on the degree of mineralization, accumulation of microdamage, and mechanical properties of cortical bone in the same dogs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine 1-year-old beagles (15 males, 14 females) were divided into three groups and treated daily with vehicle (CNT) or with incadronate at a dose of 0.3 (LOW) or 0.6 mg/kg/day (HIGH) orally for 3 years. After death, pQCT, histomorphometry, microdamage measurements, and three-point bending mechanical test were performed using the ninth rib. RESULTS: Cortical BMD was increased in the incadronate-treated groups. Cortical activation frequency was suppressed by 82% and 70% in HIGH and LOW, respectively, compared with CNT, without impairment of mineralization. Microdamage accumulation was increased in both incadronate-treated groups. Although there were no significant differences in total and cortical area among the three groups, structural mechanical properties were significantly increased after incadronate treatment while intrinsic material properties were not changed in the incadronate-treated groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that long-term suppression of bone remodeling by bisphosphonate increases microdamage accumulation. However, this was not necessarily associated with a reduction of intrinsic material properties probably because of an increased degree of mineralization.

Animals↗

Kinesigenic attacks with ictal electroencephalographic abnormalities.

We report on a 14-year 5-month-old male who had attacks similar to those of paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis. The attacks were elicited exclusively by sudden movements. On several occasions, these attacks were immediately followed by loss of consciousness or a seizure. Ictal electroencephalograms of his attacks without loss of consciousness or a seizure indicated 1.5-3.0 Hz activity in the left hemisphere. A small dosage of carbamazepine was remarkably effective in stopping the attacks. This case demonstrates that a thorough ictal electroencephalographic examination is indispensable for clarifying the pathophysiology of kinesigenic attacks. The relationship between paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis and supplementary motor area seizures is also discussed.

Adolescent↗

A study of spike-density on EEG in West syndrome.

To elucidate the pathophysiology of spasms in series, the distribution and density of spikes on hypsarrhythmia were studied in 13 patients with West syndrome by excluding slow waves from EEG using a digital filter. (1) Interictal spikes were mostly multifocal and dominant over the bilateral posterior head area with very few diffuse discharges. Therefore, spikes on hypsarrhythmia were demonstrated to occur actually depending on the brain regions although they appeared random. (2) The dominant region of interictal spikes did not correspond to the underlying focal cortical lesion in many patients, and was indicated to reflect the general process of cerebral maturation in infancy. (3) There were far fewer inter-spasm spikes, especially during the middle phase of a series of spasms, than interictal spikes. It was implied that the cortical activity of hypsarrhythmia was interfered with by the abnormal subcortical function, which might be related to the generation of spasms. (4) The dominant region of inter-spasm spikes tended to coincide with a focal cortical lesion shown by MRI and the focus of associated partial seizures.

Action Potentials↗

Very fast rhythmic activity on scalp EEG associated with epileptic spasms.

PURPOSE: Very fast activity was investigated on the ictal EEGs of epileptic spasms to elucidate the pathophysiology of West syndrome (WS) and related disorders from a novel point of view. METHODS: The traces of scalp ictal EEG of spasms temporally were expanded in 11 patients whose clinical diagnosis was symptomatic WS in six, cryptogenic WS in two, Aicardi syndrome in one, and symptomatic generalized epilepsy after WS in the remaining two. Time evolution of averaged power spectra of the ictal fast activity also was analyzed in each patient. RESULTS: Rhythmic gamma activity with frequency ranging from 50 to 100 Hz was detected in a total of 345 of 537 spasms. Fast activity was seen bilaterally in nine patients, was lateralized to one hemisphere in another, and appeared independently on each hemisphere in the remaining infant with Aicardi syndrome. Power spectra showed a clear peak corresponding to spasm-associated gamma rhythm, with frequency centering approximately 65 Hz and ranging from 51 to 98 Hz. The morphology and spectral characteristics of ictal gamma rhythm were completely different from those of muscle activity or alternating current (AC) artifacts. CONCLUSIONS: Spasm-associated gamma activity was clearly detected on the scalp. This observation may provide a clue to the pathophysiology of spasms.

Cerebral Cortex↗

Initiation of treatment and selection of antiepileptic drugs in childhood epilepsy.

PURPOSE: A retrospective study was carried out on 53 cases with childhood epilepsy to evaluate the validity of the initial selection of antiepileptic drug (AED). METHODS: We investigated the AEDs selected at the beginning of the treatment from the medical records of 53 untreated cases. A follow-up study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of the AEDs. In the second study, we investigated the AEDs of 10 cases with atypical benign partial epilepsy (ABPE), to clarify whether the initial AEDs selected for rolandic epilepsy were related to the appearance of ABPE. RESULTS: The AEDs used at the initial stage consisted of carbamazepine (CBZ), valproic acid (VPA), phenobarbital (PB), and vitamin B6. The main AEDs were CBZ and VPA for localization-related epilepsy, and VPA for generalized epilepsy. The initial selection of AEDs in 41 (85.4%) of 48 cases treated with AEDs were considered to be correct from the results of follow-up. We could not specify any AEDs that related to the appearance of ABPE. CONCLUSIONS: The selection of AED in this series was considered to be most appropriate. We proposed a criterion to determine whether to begin the AED treatment immediately at the initial seizure.

Adolescent↗

Long-term treatment of incadronate disodium accumulates microdamage but improves the trabecular bone microarchitecture in dog vertebra.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of long-term suppression of bone resorption by bisphosphonate on the microstructure, accumulation of microdamage, and mechanical properties of trabecular bone. Twenty-nine 1-year-old beagles (15 males, 14 females) were divided into three groups. The control group (CNT) was treated daily with vehicle, and the other two groups were treated with incadronate at a dose of 0.3 mg/kg/day (LOW) or 0.6 mg/kg/day (HIGH) orally for 3 years. After death, the second thoracic vertebra was scanned with microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and assigned to histomorphometric and microdamage measurements. The fourth lumbar vertebra was mechanically tested by compression. Incadronate concentration in bone was measured in the 11th thoracic vertebra. Micro-CT analysis demonstrated a platelike trabecular structure and increased concave surface of trabeculae in the thoracic vertebra of incadronate-treated groups. Three-year incadronate treatment significantly suppressed trabecular activation rates by 56% in LOW and 67% in HIGH without impairment of mineralization, and increased microdamage accumulation in both incadronate-treated groups. Trabecular bone volume was significantly increased in both LOW and HIGH groups, and vertebral strength was significantly increased in the HIGH group compared with the CNT group. However, intrinsic material properties such as normalized ultimate stress and normalized toughness were reduced in incadronate-treated groups. Incadronate concentration in bone was dose-dependent. This study suggests that long-term suppression of bone remodeling increases microdamage accumulation, but this is not necessarily associated with vertebral fragility because of compensated increase of bone mass and improved microarchitecture.

Animals↗

Systematic source estimation of spikes by a combination of independent component analysis and RAP-MUSIC. I: Principles and simulation study.

OBJECTIVES: We propose a combination of independent component analysis (ICA) and recursively applied and projected multiple signal classification (RAP-MUSIC) as a new approach to dipole source estimation of epileptiform discharges. The method is minimally dependent on subjective decisions. METHODS: Ten electroencephalographic (EEG) data matrices were generated by computer, each matrix including real background activity from a normal subject and an array of added simulated spikes. Each spike was a summation of two transients originating from slightly different 'original dipole sources'. The unaveraged EEG matrices were decomposed by ICA, and source estimation was performed by applying RAP-MUSIC to the spatial information defined by the ICA components showing epileptiform activity in their waveform. For comparison, dipoles were also estimated from the same matrices using two existing methods: RAP-MUSIC based on eigen-decomposition of the covariance matrices of averaged spikes and common spatial pattern decomposition. RESULTS: In every simulated EEG data matrix, two dipoles close to the original sources were estimated by the present method. Their unaveraged activities were also similar to those of the original sources. The two existing methods gave less precise results than the proposed method. CONCLUSIONS: RAP-MUSIC based on ICA thus proved promising for source estimation of unaveraged epileptiform discharges.

Brain↗

Systematic source estimation of spikes by a combination of independent component analysis and RAP-MUSIC. II: Preliminary clinical application.

OBJECTIVES: We tried to estimate epileptic sources by a combination of independent component analysis (ICA) and recursively applied and projected multiple signal classification (RAP-MUSIC) in real epileptiform EEG discharges. METHODS: EEG data including an array of spikes from 3 patients were decomposed by ICA, and source estimation was performed by applying RAP-MUSIC to the spatial information defined by the set of ICA components that showed epileptiform activity in their waveform. Sources were also estimated from the same data using RAP-MUSIC based on eigen-decomposition of the covariance matrix of averaged spikes, and common spatial pattern decomposition for comparison. RESULTS: RAP-MUSIC based on ICA could estimate generally correct epileptic sources in the 3 patients, and its results were better than those of the other methods, when compared to intracerebral data. The present analysis proceeded without introduction of subjective decision after data selection. The separation of epileptiform discharges from the background is essential for this analysis, and was successfully performed in the real EEG data. CONCLUSIONS: RAP-MUSIC based on ICA appears promising for estimation of epileptic sources with minimal dependence on subjective decisions in the process of analysis. In particular, it was not necessary to select the number of sources.

Brain↗