[Characteristics of Geriatric Epilepsy Can Include Dementia].

Japan has become a "super-aged" society, in which more than 20% of the population is over the age of 65 years. As the incidence rates of both dementia and epilepsy are high in elderly individuals, the prevalence rates of dementia and epilepsy have both increased in recent years. Dementia and epilepsy are often characterized by ambiguous symptoms, with numerous concomitant symptoms observed in these patients.

Accumulation of I-Ioflupane Is a Useful Marker of the Efficacy of Selegiline Monotherapy in Drug-Naïve Parkinson's Disease.

: Selegiline enhances the patient's endogenous dopamine by inhibiting dopamine metabolism. The efficacy of selegiline monotherapy for drug-naïve Parkinson's disease (PD) patients may depend on the degree of dopaminergic neuronal degeneration. I-Ioflupane single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy are diagnostic methods to assess the pharmacological and pathological changes in PD.

Efficacy of levetiracetam in primary hemifacial spasm.

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a peripherally-induced movement disorder characterized by the involuntary, unilateral, intermittent, irregular, tonic or clonic contractions of muscles innervated by the ipsilateral facial nerve. Kindling-like hyperactivity of the facial nucleus induced by constant stimulation of compressing artery is considered as the predominant mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of HFS. As a treatment for HFS, microsurgical decompression and botulinum toxin injection have been shown to be highly successful.

Improvement in Language Function Correlates with Gait Improvement in Drug-naïve Parkinson's Disease Patients Taking Dopaminergic Medication.

Background: Dopaminergic drugs, the gold standard for motor symptoms, are known to affect cognitive function in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients.

Objective: We compared the effects of dopaminergic treatment on motor and cognitive function in drug-naïve patients.

Methods: Dopaminergic medication (levodopa, dopamine agonist, selegiline) was given to 27 drug-naïve PD patients and increased to a dose optimal for improved motor symptoms.

[Association between Elderly Onset Epilepsy and Dementia].

Japan is experiencing an increase in the number of patients with dementia, and the incidence of epilepsy is high among the elderly. A survey of patients with epilepsy who were admitted to our hospital's neurology department showed that new onset epilepsy occurred more frequently in elderly patients. In addition, a greater proportion of elderly patients had dementia as an underlying disease.

[Epilepsy and dementia].

Japan is experiencing an increase in the number of dementia patients, and the incidence of epilepsy is high among the elderly. A survey, from 2007 to 2012, of 279 epilepsy patients admitted to our hospital's neurology department showed that newly-onset epilepsy occurred more frequently in elderly patients. Of 153 elderly patients with epilepsy, aged 65 years and older, 31(20.

[Epilepsy with higher brain dysfunction].

Acquired higher brain dysfunction is for the most part due to cerebral vascular disease, but epilepsy may also be a cause. In this study with five patients, we discuss the advantages of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) for persistent higher brain dysfunction. The patients showed chronic amnesia or acute aphasia, with associated symptoms like personality change.

Self-rated anosognosia score may be a sensitive and predictive indicator for progressive brain atrophy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: an X-ray computed tomographic study.

We investigated whether a self-rated anosognosia score can be an indicator for progression of brain atrophy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Scores for 16 patients were compared with the ventricular areas of the bilateral anterior and inferior horns measured on x-ray computed tomography. Longitudinal enlargement was expressed as a monthly increase in size: (ventricular size at the initial scan - ventricular size at the follow-up scan)/scan interval (months).

Programmable shunt valves: in vitro assessment of safety of the magnetic field generated by a portable game machine.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts are frequently used to treat hydrocephalus. The use of a programmable shunt valve allows physicians to easily change the opening pressure. Since patients with adjustable CSF shunt valves may use portable game machines, the permanent magnets in these machines may alter the shunt valve programmed settings or permanently damage the device.

Central administration of p-hydroxyamphetamine produces a behavioral stimulant effect in rodents: evidence for the involvement of dopaminergic systems.

Rationale And Objectives: It is well-known that amphetamine induces increased locomotor activity in rodents. We previously found that intracerebroventricular (i.c.

Influence of memantine on brain monoaminergic neurotransmission parameters in mice: neurochemical and behavioral study.

Memantine, a non-competitive antagonist of NMDA receptors, has recently been used in Alzheimer's disease. The influences of memantine on behavioral changes, monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity and reuptake of both serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine in mice were examined in the present study. Memantine dose-dependently increased locomotor activity.