Publications by authors named "Tomoko Takamatsu"
Neuroinflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of West syndrome (WS). Inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β(IL-1β), have been reported to be associated with epilepsy. However, the assessment of cytokine changes in humans is not always simple or deterministic.
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- Migraine treatment mainly focuses on calcitonin gene-related peptides, but there's a need for better strategies due to limited effectiveness.
- Neuroinflammation plays a role in migraines, with increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α observed in patients.
- Research suggests that targeting the IL-1β/IL-1 receptor type 1 axis could lead to new treatment options, although the blood-brain barrier remains unaffected during migraine attacks.
Article Synopsis
- - Riboflavin, a B-vitamin, is important for energy production and may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are linked to migraine development.
- - While some studies show riboflavin might help prevent migraines by targeting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, the evidence is still inconclusive, with further research needed to clarify its effectiveness.
- - Current experimental and clinical research indicates that riboflavin can lower oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines in people with migraines, but more thorough investigations are required to confirm its role in migraine management and prevention.
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- Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome (FIRES) leads to drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), and recent studies suggest that anakinra, an IL-1 receptor antagonist, may help treat these conditions.
- In a study of 38 patients, 73% of FIRES patients experienced short-term seizure control after starting anakinra, while improvements were noted in all DRE patients, including cognitive function in five out of six.
- Although anakinra shows promise and few serious side effects, more research is needed to establish a stronger evidence base for its effectiveness in treating intractable epilepsy.
Article Synopsis
- Recent studies indicate that neuroinflammation and cerebrovascular dysfunction play key roles in the development of epilepsy, with immune cells from the body invading the brain.
- The review emphasizes the importance of understanding the interaction between the peripheral and central nervous systems in epilepsy, proposing new therapeutic approaches targeting these immune responses.
- Findings suggest that the infiltration of immune cells like monocytes and T cells into the brain following a seizure is complex, involving both time-dependent processes and novel insights from genetic manipulation.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the role of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and growth factors related to angiogenesis in children with acute encephalopathy and other neurological disorders.
- Researchers analyzed 25 children with acute neurological conditions and a control group, measuring levels of HMGB1, PDGF, VEGF, and cytokines in their serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
- Results indicated higher levels of HMGB1 in children with encephalopathy and meningitis, suggesting that HMGB1 and angiogenesis-related factors are significant in the pathophysiology of central nervous system infections.
In this study, we assessed circulating immune cells and plasma cytokine levels in 15 pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). DRE patients had a significantly higher percentage of CD14 monocytes positive for IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-6, and TNF-α than controls. Significantly higher intracellular levels of IFN-γ in CD4 T cells and NK cells were also found in DRE patients.
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- Complementary and integrative medicines (CIMs) are being increasingly used for preventing migraines in children, with a focus on their safety and effectiveness.
- A review of eight CIMs found that riboflavin showed strong evidence of effectiveness, while evidence for other treatments like coenzyme Q10 and magnesium was insufficient.
- Despite the potential of combination therapies, there is still a lack of definitive results on which specific CIMs are best for pediatric migraines, highlighting the need for more research.
Background And Aim: Although head and/or neck pain attributed to orthostatic hypotension is included in international guidelines, its mechanisms and relevance remain unknown. This study examined the term's relevance and aimed to elucidate the associated clinical features.
Methods: An active stand test was performed to evaluate fluctuations in systemic and cerebral circulation in children and adolescents reporting complaints in the absence of a confirmed organic disorder.
Several patients with beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN)/static encephalopathy with neurodegeneration in adulthood have been reported to present Rett syndrome (RTT)-like features. This report presents an individual with BPAN showing clinical features of RTT. Psychomotor delay and epilepsy onset were noted at 1 year, and regression began at 4 years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Riboflavin may prevent migraine episodes; however, there is limited evidence of its effectiveness in pediatric populations. This study investigated the effectiveness of riboflavin and clinical predictors of response in children with migraines.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 68 Japanese children with migraines, of whom 52 also exhibited another type of headache.
Objective: The present study aimed to determine whether granzymes are implicated in the pathogenesis of infection-associated acute encephalopathy (AE).
Methods: We investigated granzyme and cytokine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with acute encephalopathy or complex febrile seizures (cFS). A total of 24 acute encephalopathy patients and 22 complex febrile seizures patients were included in the present study.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy is effective for West syndrome; however, the underlying mechanism of action remains unknown. This study explored this mechanism in 5 Japanese patients with West syndrome, injected with ACTH for 28 days. Serum samples were obtained before and 30, 120, and 720 minutes after ACTH injection divided into an "early" (1-4 days) and a "late" (10-28 days) group.
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