In vivo hyperphosphorylation of tau is associated with synaptic loss and behavioral abnormalities in the absence of tau seeds.

Tau pathology is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease. However, the sequence of events and the form of tau that confers toxicity are still unclear, due in large part to the lack of physiological models of tauopathy initiation and progression in which to test hypotheses. We have developed a series of targeted mice expressing frontotemporal-dementia-causing mutations in the humanized MAPT gene to investigate the earliest stages of tauopathy.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of a Newly Proposed Criteria for Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.

Background/objectives: Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder traditionally diagnosed based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria in 1998. Recently, Hermann et al. proposed updated diagnostic criteria incorporating advanced biomarkers to enhance early detection of sCJD.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Shoulder Imbalance in Patients With Lenke Type 1 and 2 Scoliosis Treated Using the Vertebral Coplanar Alignment Technique.

Study Design: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Objective: We investigated the incidence of postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI) and its risk factors in patients with Lenke types 1 and 2 scoliosis corrected using vertebral coplanar alignment (VCA).

Summary Of Background Data: PSI in scoliosis affects patient quality of life.

Identifying Factors for Predicting Postoperative Segmental Motor Paralysis in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Multicenter Study.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of and risk factors for segmental motor paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Segmental motor paralysis is a potential complication following both anterior and posterior cervical decompression procedures; however, previous studies investigating risk factors for segmental motor paralysis after anterior cervical spine surgery were limited by small sample sizes.

Comparison of Postoperative Complications and Outcomes in Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Versus Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To compare the frequency of complications and outcomes between patients with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the cervical spine and those with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) who underwent anterior surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Anterior cervical spine surgery for OPLL is an effective surgical procedure; however, it is complex and technically demanding compared with the procedure for CSM.

Impairment of Social-Related Quality of Life in COVID-19 Pneumonia Survivors: A Prospective Longitudinal Study.

The post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) pose a threat to patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Here, the impact of COVID-19 on HRQOL and the clinical factors associated with impaired HRQOL were examined. Discharged COVID-19 patients were assessed at 3 and 6 months after disease onset.

The lower Osteotomy Level is Associated With Decreased Revision Surgery Due to Mechanical Complications After Three-Column Osteotomy in Patients With Adult Spinal Deformity: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study.

Study Design: A multi-institutional retrospective study.

Objectives: To investigate risk factors of mechanical failure in three-column osteotomy (3COs) in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD), focusing on the osteotomy level.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 111 patients with ASD who underwent 3COs with at least 2 years of follow-up.

Preoperative Symptom Duration Influences Neurological Recovery and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures After Surgical Treatment of Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.

Study Design: A prospective multicenter study.

Objective: To investigate the effect of preoperative symptom duration on neurological recovery for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Summary Of Background Data: The optimal timing to perform surgery in the setting of cervical OPLL remains unknown.

Substitution of Glu to Lys at Codon 332 on the GFAP Gene Alone Is Causative for Adult-onset Alexander Disease.

A 57-year-old man whose mother had been pathologically diagnosed with Alexander disease (ALXDRD), presented with cerebellar ataxia, pyramidal signs, and mild dysarthria. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed typical ALXDRD alterations, such as atrophy of the medulla oblongata (MO) and cervical spinal cord, a reduced sagittal diameter of the MO, and garland-like hyperintensity signals along the lateral ventricular walls. A genetic analysis of GFAP by Sanger sequencing revealed a single heterozygous mutation of Glu to Lys at codon 332 (c.

[Anti-Dementia Drugs (Anti-Alzheimer's Disease Drugs)].

Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment includes both non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches. Current pharmacological approaches include symptomatic and disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). In Japan, DMTs have not yet been approved for treating AD; however, four drugs are currently available for symptomatic therapies, including cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) such as donepezil for mild-to-severe dementia, galantamine and rivastigmine for mild-to-moderate dementia, and memantine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, for moderate-to-severe dementia.

Factors Associated With Loss of Cervical Lordosis After Laminoplasty for Patients With Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Data From a Prospective Multicenter Study.

Study Design: A prospective multicenter study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of loss of cervical lordosis after laminoplasty for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). We also sought to determine associated risk factors and the relationship with patient-reported outcomes.

Nationwide Laboratory Surveillance of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy in Japan: Fiscal Years 2011-2020.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a devastating demyelinating disease caused by JC virus (JCV), predominantly affecting patients with impaired cellular immunity. PML is a non-reportable disease with a few exceptions, making national surveillance difficult. In Japan, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for JCV in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is performed at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases to support PML diagnosis.

Comparison of Surgical Outcomes of Anterior and Posterior Fusion Surgeries for K-line (-) Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Study Design: A prospective multicenter study.

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the surgical outcomes of anterior and posterior fusion surgeries in patients with K-line (-) cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Summary Of Background Data: Although laminoplasty is effective for patients with K-line (+) OPLL, fusion surgery is recommended for those with K-line (-) OPLL.

Preventive or promotive effects of polymorphic heterozygosity on the onset of prion disease.

The polymorphic heterozygosity of at codon 129 or 219 prevents the onset of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). We investigated the association between polymorphic genotypes at codon 129 or 219 and comprehensive prion disease onset using non-CJD as a reference. EK heterozygotes at codon 219, versus EE homozygotes, showed a preventive effect on the extensive prion diseases-sCJD, genetic CJD (gCJD) with V180I or M232R mutation, and Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease with P102L mutation.

Vacuoles related to tissue neuron-astrocyte ratio and infiltration of macrophages/monocytes contribute to hyperintense brain signals on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Background: Radiological features in patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) are hyperintensity of the cerebral cortex and the basal ganglia displayed by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI). We performed a quantitative study on neuropathological and radiological findings.

Methods: Patient 1 received a definite diagnosis of MM1-type sCJD, while patient 2 received a definite diagnosis of MM1 + 2-type sCJD.

Residual Neuropathic Pain in Postoperative Patients With Cervical Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.

Study Design: A prospective multi-institutional observational study.

Objective: To investigate and identify risk factors for residual neuropathic pain after surgery in patients with cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (c-OPLL).

Summary Of Background Data: Patients with c-OPLL often require surgery for numbness and paralysis of the extremities; however, postoperative neuropathic pain can considerably deteriorate their quality of life.

Deep learning-based prediction model for postoperative complications of cervical posterior longitudinal ligament ossification.

Purpose: Postoperative complication prediction helps surgeons to inform and manage patient expectations. Deep learning, a model that finds patterns in large samples of data, outperform traditional statistical methods in making predictions. This study aimed to create a deep learning-based model (DLM) to predict postoperative complications in patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers and Amyloid-β Elimination from the Brain in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy-Related Inflammation.

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related inflammation (CAA-ri) have demonstrated inconsistent results.

Objective: We investigated the relationship between CSF amyloid-β protein (Aβ) and vascular pathological findings to elucidate the mechanisms of Aβ elimination from the brain in CAA-ri.

Methods: We examined Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels in CSF samples in 15 patients with CAA-ri and 15 patients with Alzheimer's disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (AD-CAA) using ELISA as a cross-sectional study.

Effects of Melissa officinalis Extract Containing Rosmarinic Acid on Cognition in Older Adults Without Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Previous in vitro and in vivo studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD) models have reported that rosmarinic acid (RA) can inhibit the formation of amyloid-β fibrils as well as the oligomerization and deposition of amyloid-β protein. Melissa officinalis (M. officinalis) extract containing 500 mg of RA is tolerable and safe in healthy individuals and patients with mild AD dementia.

Prospective Investigation of Surgical Outcomes after Anterior Decompression with Fusion and Laminoplasty for the Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

The ideal surgical strategy for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) remains controversial due to the lack of high-quality evidence. Herein, we prospectively investigated the surgical outcomes of anterior cervical decompression with fusion (ADF) and laminoplasty (LAMP) with cervical OPLL. Three hundred patients were included in this study (ADF: = 89; LAMP: = 211 patients), and propensity score matching yielded 67 pairs of patients with ADF and LAMP, in which clinical outcomes were compared.

Polyphenols for the Prevention and Treatment of Cognitive Impairment.

Epidemiological studies have suggested that diets rich in polyphenols/phenolic compounds are associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Experimental studies have indicated that these compounds have specific effects on AD pathogenesis as well as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. For clinical use, several compounds have been investigated by clinical trials to establish their efficacy for prevention and treatment of AD or cognitive impairment.

CD59 Expression in Skeletal Muscles and Its Role in Myasthenia Gravis.

Background And Objectives: Complement regulatory proteins at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) could offer protection against complement-mediated damage in myasthenia gravis (MG). However, there is limited information on their expression at the human NMJ. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the expression of the cluster of differentiation 59 (CD59) at the NMJ of human muscle specimens and demonstrating the overexpression of mRNA and protein in the muscles of patients with MG.

Association of the prefrailty with global brain atrophy and white matter lesions among cognitively unimpaired older adults: the Nakajima study.

Physical frailty has been associated with adverse outcomes such as dementia. However, the underlying structural brain abnormalities of physical frailty are unclear. We investigated the relationship between physical frailty and structural brain abnormalities in 670 cognitively unimpaired individuals (mean age 70.