Autoimmune neurological disorders associated with group-A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection.

Although central nervous system (CNS) disorders associated with group-A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) infection occur only rarely, Sydenham's chorea is a well-recognized disease that can arise following infection. Children may develop a tic, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and extrapyramidal movement subsequent to GABHS infection. These disorders have been termed pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococci (PANDAS).

Decreased susceptibility to seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole in serine racemase knockout mice.

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor plays a key role in excitatory synaptic transmission. The overactivation of the NMDA receptor has been implicated in the development of epileptic seizures. D-Serine is a coagonist of the NMDA receptor and its biosynthesis is catalyzed by serine racemase (SR).

Serine racemase is predominantly localized in neurons in mouse brain.

D-Serine is the endogenous ligand for the glycine binding site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor (GluR) channel and is involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity, neural network formation, and neurodegenerative disorders. D-Serine is synthesized from L-serine by serine racemase (SR), which was first reported to be localized in astrocytes. However, recently, SR mRNA and its protein have been detected in neurons.

Evaluation of phenytoin dosage regimens based on genotyping of CYP2C subfamily in routinely treated Japanese patients.

Two research groups have reported the effect of genetic polymorphisms of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 on the pharmacokinetic parameters of phenytoin in Japanese epileptic patients. We measured the plasma phenytoin concentrations at steady-state in 20 routinely treated Japanese patients, and evaluated the usefulness of genotyping the CYP2C subfamily in predicting plasma concentrations and determining the dosage regimens of phenytoin. The plasma phenytoin concentrations predicted by genotypes of the CYP2C subfamily were well correlated with the observed concentrations in some patients, but not in some patients.