Increased serum alkaline phosphatase and early neurological deterioration in patients with atherothrombotic brain infarction attributable to intracranial atherosclerosis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was associated with early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with atherothrombotic brain infarction (ATBI) attributable to intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) or not.

Methods: We analyzed data derived from 70 patients (47 men; mean age, 72.4 ± 12.

[Acute myelitis associated with anti-neutral glycolipid antibody].

A 48-year-old man with rapid onset of fever elevation developed acute myelitis over a period of a week. MRI of the spinal cord revealed a longitudinal T-hyperintense intraspinal lesion extending from C6 to Th8 level. Clinical symptoms and findings resolved with immunotherapy.

Visually-Rated Medial Temporal Lobe Atrophy with Lower Educational History as a Quick Indicator of Amnestic Cognitive Impairment after Stroke.

Background: Time and resource limitations prevent cognitive assessment in acute-to-subacute settings, even in comprehensive stroke centers.

Objective: To assess cognitive function in acute stroke patients undergoing routine clinical, laboratory, and radiological investigations, with a view to improving post-stroke care and treatment.

Methods: Sixty-nine patients (72.

Significance of Nonfocal Symptoms in Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack.

Background and Purpose- Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) occasionally show nonfocal symptoms, such as unconsciousness, amnesia, and unsteadiness. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics and prognosis of patients with TIA with nonfocal symptoms, using data from the PROMISE-TIA (Prospective Multicenter Registry to Identify Subsequent Cardiovascular Events After Transient Ischemic Attack). Methods- Patients with TIA within 7 days of onset were consecutively enrolled in the Japanese nationwide registry.

Comparison of Clinical Characteristics among Subtypes of Visual Symptoms in Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack: Analysis of the PROspective Multicenter registry to Identify Subsequent cardiovascular Events after TIA (PROMISE-TIA) Registry.

Background: A transient visual symptom (TVS) is a clinical manifestation of transient ischemic attack (TIA). The aim of this study was to investigate differences in clinical characteristics among subtypes of TVS using multicenter TIA registry data.

Materials And Methods: Patients with TIA visiting within 7 days of onset were prospectively enrolled from 57 hospitals between June 2011 and December 2013.

Predictors of Stroke Events in Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack Attributable to Intracranial Stenotic Lesions.

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of subsequent ischemic stroke events in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) attributable to intracranial arterial occlusive lesions. Methods The study population included 82 patients (55 men; mean age, 69.3±12.

Increased pulse wave velocity in patients with acute lacunar infarction doubled the risk of future ischemic stroke.

The aim of this study was to determine whether pulse wave velocity (PWV), a marker of vascular endothelial impairment and arteriosclerosis, predicts future ischemic stroke in patients who developed acute lacunar infarction. Patients with a first-ever ischemic stroke due to acute lacunar infarction were enrolled in this study. An oscillometric device (Form PWV/ABI; Omron Colin, Tokyo, Japan) was used to measure brachial-ankle PWV 1 week after stroke onset.

Incidence, predictors, and etiology of subsequent ischemic stroke within one year after transient ischemic attack.

Background Incidence and predictors of ischemic stroke in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) have not been fully clarified outside Europe and North America. Aims We undertook the present prospective, multicenter study to clarify the incidence, predictors, and etiology of ischemic stroke within one year of TIA onset in Japan. Methods The study subjects were patients within seven days of TIA onset who were enrolled in a prospective register from 57 hospitals between June 2011 and December 2013.

Differences in Clinical Characteristics between Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack Whose Symptoms Do and Do Not Persist on Arrival.

Background: Symptoms of transient ischemic attack (TIA) persist on arrival and subsequently resolve in some patients admitted to hospitals early after onset. Differences in clinical characteristics between patients with acute TIA whose symptoms do and do not persist on arrival remain unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively extracted data of consecutive TIA patients with an onset-to-door time (ODT) of 24 hours or less and without a history of stroke from a multicenter TIA database.

Cerebral blood flow and metabolism associated with cerebral microbleeds in small vessel disease.

Objective: Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), probably reflecting microangiopathy, have not yet sufficiently been examined in association with cerebral blood flow (CBF) and metabolism. We investigated the relationships between CMBs, and CBF and metabolism in symptomatic small vessel disease.

Methods: We enrolled 22 patients with symptomatic small vessel disease without severe stenosis (>50 %) in major cerebral arteries.

Clinical, Laboratory, and Imaging Characteristics of Transient Ischemic Attack Caused by Large Artery Lesions: A Comparison between Carotid and Intracranial Arteries.

Background/aims: The aims of this study were to determine the differences in clinical characteristics and the risk of ischemic stroke between patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) attributable to extracranial carotid and intracranial artery occlusive lesions.

Methods: Among 445 patients admitted to our stroke care unit within 48 h of TIA onset between April 2008 and December 2013, 85 patients (63 men, mean age 69.4 years) with large artery occlusive lesions relevant to symptoms were included in this study.

Clinical Characteristics of Transient Ischemic Attack Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Analyses of a Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important risk factor for transient ischemic attack (TIA). However, little is known about the characteristics of TIA patients with AF. This study investigated the characteristics of such patients, using data from a retrospective, observational, multicenter study.

Early Stroke Risk after Transient Ischemic Attack in Patients without Large-Artery Disease or Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) without large-artery disease (LAD) or atrial fibrillation (AF) on admission may be at higher risk of stroke than previously thought. The aim of this study was to investigate early stroke risk and its predictors in such patients.

Methods: We studied 410 TIA patients admitted to our institute within 48 hours of onset.

Which should be the essential components of stroke centers in Japan? A survey by questionnaires sent to the directors of facilities certified by the Japan stroke society.

Background: We conducted a survey by questionnaire to identify the essential components of stroke centers in Japan and compared our results with the European Expert Survey.

Methods: In 2007, a questionnaire was mailed to the directors of 740 facilities certified by the Japan Stroke Society to ask their opinion on the essential components of comprehensive stroke centers (CSC), primary stroke centers (PSC) and any hospital ward (AHW) admitting acute stroke patients. The directors were asked to provide 1 of the following 6 possible answers regarding 112 components: 'irrelevant'; 'useful but not necessary'; 'desirable'; 'important but not absolutely necessary'; 'absolutely necessary', or 'question unclear or ambiguous'.

Factors associated with unfavorable outcome in minor ischemic stroke.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors that correlate with unfavorable outcomes and to develop a simple validated model for assessing risk of unfavorable outcomes in patients with minor ischemic stroke.

Methods: The derivation cohort included 1,313 patients hospitalized within 72 hours after onset with an initial NIH Stroke Scale score of 0 to 3 enrolled in a prospective, multicenter, observational study. Unfavorable outcome was defined as dependency (modified Rankin Scale score of 3-5) or death at 90 days.

Incidence and predictors of ischemic stroke events during hospitalization in patients with transient ischemic attack.

Background: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the incidence and predictors of ischemic stroke or recurrent transient ischemic attack (TIA) during acute hospitalization in patients with TIA.

Methods: We carried out a multicenter retrospective study to clarify the characteristics of in-patients with TIA. The subjects of this study were TIA patients admitted to 13 stroke hospitals within 7 days after onset between 2008 and 2009.

Early-onset dystonia after supplementary motor area infarction.

A 63-year-old patient with the right supplementary motor area infarct developed early-onset dystonia in the left upper extremity. The mechanisms involved in the genesis of focal dystonia are discussed with emphasis on cortical basal ganglia circuit and efferent projections from the supplementary motor area.

Factors associated with onset-to-door time in patients with transient ischemic attack admitted to stroke centers.

Background And Purpose: The aim of this study was to elucidate the factors associated with the time from symptom onset to arrival at a stroke center (onset-to-door time [ODT]) in patients with classically defined transient ischemic attack using data from a multicenter, retrospective study.

Methods: The subjects were patients with transient ischemic attack admitted to 13 stroke centers in Japan within 7 days of onset between 2008 and 2009. A total of 464 patients registered (292 men, 68.