Cervical spinal cord stimulation exerts anti-epileptic effects in a rat model of epileptic seizure through the suppression of CCL2-mediated cascades.

Epidural spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is indicated for the treatment of intractable pain and is widely used in clinical practice. In previous basic research, the therapeutic effects of SCS have been demonstrated for epileptic seizure. However, the mechanism has not yet been elucidated.

Continuous vagus nerve stimulation exerts beneficial effects on rats with experimentally induced Parkinson's disease: Evidence suggesting involvement of a vagal afferent pathway.

Background: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) exerts neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical models of central nervous system disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). VNS setting applied for experimental models is limited into single-time or intermittent short-duration stimulation. We developed a VNS device which could deliver continuous stimulation for rats.

Synergistic therapeutic effects of intracerebral transplantation of human modified bone marrow-derived stromal cells (SB623) and voluntary exercise with running wheel in a rat model of ischemic stroke.

Background: Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation therapy is a promising therapy for stroke patients. In parallel, rehabilitation with physical exercise could ameliorate stroke-induced neurological impairment. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether combination therapy of intracerebral transplantation of human modified bone marrow-derived MSCs, SB623 cells, and voluntary exercise with running wheel (RW) could exert synergistic therapeutic effects on a rat model of ischemic stroke.

Two Cases of Monozygotic Twins with Early-onset Isolated (DYT1) Dystonia Effectively Treated with Bilateral Globus Pallidus Internus Stimulation.

Early-onset isolated (DYT1) dystonia is one of the most common forms of primary dystonia in childhood, and deep brain stimulation of the globus pallidus internus (GPi-DBS) is a highly effective treatment for it. However, the effectiveness of GPi-DBS in monozygotic twins with DYT1 dystonia has never been reported globally. Here, we report the cases of monozygotic twins with DYT1 dystonia who were treated using GPi-DBS, and we include a literature review.

Transplantation of modified human bone marrow-derived stromal cells affords therapeutic effects on cerebral ischemia in rats.

Aims: SB623 cells are human bone marrow stromal cells transfected with Notch1 intracellular domain. In this study, we examined potential regenerative mechanisms underlying stereotaxic transplantation of SB623 cells in rats with experimental acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: We prepared control group, empty capsule (EC) group, SB623 cell group (SB623), and encapsulated SB623 cell (eSB623) group.

A Case of a Solitary Cortical Tuber with No Other Manifestations of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Mimicking Focal Cortical Dysplasia Type II with Calcification.

Cortical tubers are one of the typical intracranial manifestations of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Multiple cortical tubers are easy to diagnose as TSC; however, a solitary cortical tuber without any other cutaneous or visceral organ manifestations can be confused with other conditions, particularly focal cortical dysplasia. We report a surgical case of refractory epilepsy caused by a solitary cortical tuber mimicking focal cortical dysplasia type II, and describe the radiological, electrophysiological, and histopathological findings of our case.

Growth Curves for Intracranial Volume and Two-dimensional Parameters for Japanese Children without Cranial Abnormality: Toward Treatment of Craniosynostosis.

In the management of patients with craniosynostosis, it is important to understand growth curve of the normal cranium. Although three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images taken in thin slices are easily available nowadays, data on the growth curves of intracranial volume (ICV), cranial length, cranial width, and cranial height in the normal cranium are mainly based on older studies using radiography, and there are insufficient reports using CT images especially taken in thin slices. The purpose of this study was to establish growth curves in the normal cranium of Japanese children using thin-slice images.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation with Mild Stimulation Intensity Exerts Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Effects in Parkinson's Disease Model Rats.

Background: The major surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) is deep brain stimulation (DBS), but a less invasive treatment is desired. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a relatively safe treatment without cerebral invasiveness. In this study, we developed a wireless controllable electrical stimulator to examine the efficacy of VNS on PD model rats.

Long-Term Continuous Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation Exerts Neuroprotective Effects in Experimental Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) exerts neuroprotective effects in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Conventional stimulation techniques entail limited stimulation time and restricted movement of animals, warranting the need for optimizing the SCS regimen to address the progressive nature of the disease and to improve its clinical translation to PD patients.

Objective: Recognizing the limitations of conventional stimulation, we now investigated the effects of continuous SCS in freely moving parkinsonian rats.

Lithium counteracts depressive behavior and augments the treatment effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in treatment-resistant depressed rats.

Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats are a useful animal model of treatment-resistant depression. Lithium is effective for treating recurrent mood disorders or treatment-resistant depression, and lithium augmentation treatment is also useful for treatment-resistant depression. However, the treatment effect of lithium on the depressive behavior of WKY rats remains poorly understood, and whether lithium augments the treatment effect of antidepressants in WKY rats is also unknown.