Real-world effectiveness and safety of adalimumab for treatment of ankylosing spondylitis in Japan.

To evaluate the real-world effectiveness and safety of adalimumab for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in Japan. All AS patients initiated on adalimumab from 27 October 2010 to 28 May 2015, were enrolled. Patient characteristics at baseline, changes in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores, and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) for 24 weeks from the first adalimumab treatment were evaluated.

Myalgia caused by chronic myositis associated with plasmacytosis: a case report.

Background: Cutaneous and systemic plasmacytosis are skin disorders characterized by cutaneous polyclonal plasma cell infiltration accompanied by polyclonal hypergammaglobulinemia. Cutaneous plasmacytosis involvement is limited to the skin, mainly on the face and trunk, while systemic plasmacytosis also involves 2 or more organ systems. However, there have been no reports of inflammatory myositis due to plasmacytosis.

A case of ankylosing spondylitis with concurrent Takayasu arteritis.

We herein report a case involving a 56-year-old man who had experienced neck and lower back pain since the age of 23 years. Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) was diagnosed at 41 years of age, and treatment with sulfasalazine was initiated. At 44 years of age, the patient developed respiratory distress on exertion and chest pain.

Glucocorticoid may influence amyloid β metabolism in patients with depression.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that depression may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the biological mechanisms of the transition from depression to AD are still not clear. Changes of amyloid β protein (Aβ) metabolism and increased glucocorticoid (GC) levels have been found in both depression and AD. Moreover, several studies in animal models have demonstrated that GC administration changes Aβ metabolism.

The Risk Factors for the Wearing-off Phenomenon in Parkinson's Disease in Japan: A Cross-sectional, Multicenter Study.

Objective Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common, progressive, neurodegenerative disorder. With progression of PD, the wearing-off phenomenon occurs more frequently as a motor complication, decreasing the patient's quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for the wearing-off phenomenon in Japanese PD patients.

Re-analysis of the association of temperature or sunshine with hyperthymic temperament using lithium levels of drinking water.

Background: The Japanese archipelago stretches over 4000km from north to south and has four large islands: Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. Previously, using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-auto questionnaire version (TEMPS-A), we compared the hyperthymic scores of residents in Sapporo, Obihiro, Takaoka, Koshigaya, and Oita cities (which are located at latitudes of 43°N, 42°N, 36°N, 36°N and 33°N with various combinations of ambient temperament and sunshine in Japan, respectively). We found that latitude predicted significant variance in hyperthymic temperament, and that ambient temperature, but not sunshine, significantly affected hyperthymic temperament scores.

Serum Levels of Albumin-β-Amyloid Complex in Patients with Depression.

Objective: Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that suffering from depression may be a risk for Alzheimer disease (AD). As a possible biologic mechanism underlying the transition from depression to AD, it has been speculated that pathologic changes in β-amyloid (Aβ) metabolism are involved. To further understand the peripheral kinetics of amyloid in patients with depression, we investigated serum levels of free Aβ and albumin-bound Aβ.

Residual memory impairment in remitted depression may be a predictive factor for recurrence.

Objective: Memory impairment in remitted depression is reported to be related to the number of previous depressive episodes. A recent report hypothesized that each depressive episode increases the risk of memory impairment during remission, which further increases the risk of recurrence. We investigated whether the risk for recurrence increased as a function of memory impairment at remission.

Utility of the Japanese version of the 9-item Wearing-off Questionnaire.

Background And Purpose: The 9-item Wearing-off Questionnaire (WOQ-9) is a useful tool for screening of wearing-off. We performed a validation study of the Japanese version of the WOQ-9 (JWOQ-9) using a cross-sectional design in Japanese Parkinson's disease (PD) patients diagnosed with sporadic PD and treated with levodopa.

Methods: Subjects with severe dementia, uncontrolled psychiatric comorbidities, and previous PD neurosurgery were excluded.

Does temperature or sunshine mediate the effect of latitude on affective temperaments? A study of 5 regions in Japan.

Background: Previously, we compared the hyperthymic scores of residents in Sapporo, Koshigaya, and Oita (which are located at latitudes of 43°N, 36°N, and 33°N in Japan, respectively) using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-auto questionnaire version (TEMPS-A). We found that residents who lived at lower latitudes had higher hyperthymic temperament scores; however, the mechanism of the effect of latitude on hyperthymic temperament remained unclear. The current study examined the mediators of the latitude effect in additional regions with different annual temperatures and amounts of ambient sunshine.

Psychomotor agitation in major depressive disorder is a predictive factor of mood-switching.

Background: The relationship between psychomotor agitation in unipolar depression and mood-switching from depression to manic, hypomanic and mixed states has been controversial. We investigated the future risk of initial mood-switching as a function of psychomotor agitation in unipolar depression.

Methods: We identified 189 participants diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).

Comparative study of cognitive impairment between medicated and medication-free patients with remitted major depression: class-specific influence by tricyclic antidepressants and newer antidepressants.

Patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) are known to present with cognitive deficits; however, the presence of these deficits in the remitted state have been inconsistent. One of the most important factors potentially contributing to inconsistencies between studies may be the influence of medications. To explore the influence of antidepressants on cognitive performance in remitted MDD, we evaluated memory and executive functions using Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised and Stroop Color and Word Test, and compared performance among 50 medicated (29 treated with tricyclic antidepressants [TCA], 21 treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors or serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors) and 19 medication-free MDD patients and 31 controls.

The effects of mental state on assessment of bipolar temperament.

Background: Although the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego-auto questionnaire (TEMPS-A) was designed to identify temperaments which derive from traits but not states, there is a possibility that TEMPS-A scores might be affected by mental state in non-clinical populations. For the purpose of clarifying the effects of mental state on TEMPS-A scores, it is worthwhile to examine associations of the full version of the TEMPS-A with various depressive scales and, if possible, mania rating scales.

Methods: TEMPS-A data acquired from 314 medical students and staff was used to investigate the association of temperament scores with mental assessment scores such as the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report Japanese version (QIDS-SR-J), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Hamilton Depression rating scale (HAM-D) and the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS).

Three patients with mood disorders showing catatonia and frontotemporal lobes atrophy.

Here we report the cases of three patients with mood disorders showing catatonia and frontotemporal lobe atrophy. Catatonia is a syndrome linked to frontal dysfunction that most frequently occurs in patients with mood disorders. The diagnostic criteria of catatonia and frontotemporal dementia partly overlap.

Time course for memory dysfunction in early-life and late-life major depression: a longitudinal study from the Juntendo University Mood Disorder Project.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that patients with depression also have memory dysfunctions during depressive episodes. These dysfunctions partially remain immediately after remission from a depressive state; however, it is unclear whether these residual memory dysfunctions may disappear through long-term remission from depression. The present study compared patients during early-life (age<60) and late-life (age ≥ 60) depression while in their remitted stage with healthy controls to elucidate the impact of a long-term course on memory.

Heterogeneity of elderly depression: increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and Aβ protein metabolism.

Epidemiological studies have proposed that depression may increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD), even in patients with early-onset depression. Although metabolism of amyloid β protein (Aβ) in elderly depression received attention in terms of their correlation, there is a serious heterogeneity in elderly depression in terms of age at onset of depression. Moreover, it is unknown whether early-onset major depressive disorder (MDD) has a long-term effect on the involvement of Aβ metabolism and later development of AD.

Residual memory dysfunction in recurrent major depressive disorder--a longitudinal study from Juntendo University Mood Disorder Project.

Background: Depression may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Large cohort studies have shown that recurrent depression is associated with a risk of developing dementia. Other studies have documented smaller hippocampal volume in patients with recurrent depression.

The unrelated communication interlude (UCI)--an automatic behavior phenomenon in Parkinson's disease.

We report on 8 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) who experienced suddenly episodes of speech unrelated to the topic of conversation or wrote sentences unrelated to the context. During these episodes and later, unless pointed out, patients were unaware of the behavior. We called this phenomenon Unrelated Communication Interlude (UCI).

A multicenter, open-label, efficacy, pharmacokinetic, and safety study of adalimumab in Japanese patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

We evaluated the efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and safety of adalimumab in Japanese patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) who had an inadequate response to, or who were intolerant of, treatment with ≥1 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This phase 3, multicenter, open-label trial assessed the percentage of patients with a 20% response in the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international society working group criteria (ASAS20) at week 12 as the primary endpoint. Secondary outcome measures included assessments of disease activity, clinical response, functionality, and spinal mobility at weeks 12 and 60.

Use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and upper gastrointestinal disease.

Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most widely used antidepressants in the world. Recent studies, however, have raised the concern that SSRIs increase the risk of gastrointestinal dysfunction. Therefore, we conducted a case-control study on gastrointestinal symptoms and endoscopic findings in patients who were taking SSRIs in Japan.

Effect of Rikkunshi-to on appetite loss found in elderly dementia patients: a preliminary study.

Background: Functional gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently found in elderly dementia patients. In such a case, we attempt treatment by the administration of antidepressants or second-generation antipsychotics. However, these medications have a risk of side-effects.