Prescription trends in Japanese advanced Parkinson's disease patients with non-motor symptoms: J-FIRST.

Background: Non-motor symptoms (NMS) are important factors when selecting treatments for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). We sought to elucidate the prescribing practices for advanced PD patients with NMS in Japanese clinical practice.

Methods: We examined the prescription rates and doses of anti-PD drugs, and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in post hoc analyses of a 52-week observational study of 996 PD patients with wearing-off on levodopa-containing therapy and ≥1 NMS.

Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Virtual Noncalcium Imaging of Intracranial Arteries in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Differentiation Between Acute Thrombus and Calcification.

Objective: Hyperdense artery sign (HAS) on noncontrast brain computed tomography (CT) indicates an acute thrombus within the cerebral artery. It is a valuable imaging biomarker for diagnosing large-vessel occlusion; however, its identification may be challenging with the presence of vascular calcification. Dual-energy CT virtual noncalcium (VNCa) imaging using a 3-material decomposition algorithm is helpful for differentiating between calcification and hemorrhage.

Visualization of small brain nuclei with a high-spatial resolution, clinically available whole-body PET scanner.

Objective: To verify the visibility of physiological F-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-FDG) uptake in nuclei in and around the brainstem by a whole-body (WB) silicon photomultiplier positron emission tomography (SiPM-PET) scanner with point-spread function (PSF) reconstruction using various iteration numbers.

Methods: Ten healthy subjects (5 men, 5 women; mean age, 56.0 ± 5.

Risk factors for developing dyskinesia among Parkinson's disease patients with wearing-off: J-FIRST.

Background: Dyskinesia frequently occurs during long-term treatment with levodopa in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and impacts quality of life. Few studies have examined risk factors for developing dyskinesia in PD patients exhibiting wearing-off. Therefore, we investigated the risk factors and impact of dyskinesia in PD patients exhibiting wearing-off.

Impact of Catheter Ablation on Brain Microstructure and Blood Flow Alterations for Cognitive Improvements in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: A Pilot Longitudinal Study.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) predisposes patients to develop cognitive decline and dementia. Clinical and epidemiological data propose that catheter ablation may provide further benefit to improve neurocognitive function in patients with AF, but the underlying mechanism is poorly available. Here, we conducted a pilot prospective study to investigate whether AF ablation can alter regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and brain microstructures, using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique.

Development of an automatic multiplanar reconstruction processing method for head computed tomography.

Background: Head computed tomography (CT) is a commonly used imaging modality in radiology facilities. Since multiplanar reconstruction (MPR) processing can produce different results depending on the medical staff in charge, there is a possibility that the antemortem and postmortem images of the same person could be assessed and identified differently.

Objective: To propose and test a new automatic MPR method in order to address and overcome this limitation.

Perceived social isolation is correlated with brain structure and cognitive trajectory in Alzheimer's disease.

Both objective and perceived social isolations were associated with future cognitive decline and increase risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the impacts of perceived social isolation depending on different clinical stages of AD have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of perceived social isolation or loneliness on brain structure and future cognitive trajectories in patients who are living with or are at risk for AD.

Comparison of Radiofrequency and Cryoballoon Pulmonary Vein Ablation for the Early and Late Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation.

Objective Early recurrence (ER) after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is expected to resolve within the recommended 3-month blanking period, irrespective of the ablation device used. To compare the occurrence and relationship of AF within the blanking period and subsequent late recurrence (LR) with radiofrequency (RF) and cryoballoon (CB) ablation. Methods A retrospective analysis of 294 patients (mean age=62±9, 70.

Impact of medium-chain triglycerides on gait performance and brain metabolic network in healthy older adults: a double-blind, randomized controlled study.

Nutritional supplementation with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) has the potential to increase memory function in elderly patients with frailty and dementia. Our aim was to investigate the effects of MCT on cognitive and gait functions and their relationships with focal brain metabolism and functional connectivity even in healthy older adults. Participants were blindly randomized and allocated to two groups: 18 g/day of MCT oil and matching placebo formula (control) administered as a jelly stick (6 g/pack, ingested three times a day).

Safety and tolerability of aripiprazole in patients with psychosis associated with Parkinson's disease-Results of a multicenter open trial.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of aripiprazole on psychosis and motor function in Japanese Parkinson's disease patients.

Methods: Patients with Parkinson's disease and hallucinations and/or delusions were enrolled. They were administered aripiprazole 3 mg/day, with dosage increased or reduced as needed.

Role of magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging in detecting and managing ruptured aneurysms among multiple intracranial aneurysms.

Background: Wall enhancement of intracranial saccular aneurysms in high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (MR-VWI) might indicate a ruptured aneurysm. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the diagnostic ability of wall enhancement to detect the ruptured aneurysms among multiple aneurysms.

Methods: Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and multiple intracranial aneurysms who underwent MR-VWI before craniotomy and clipping were included in the study.

Influence of istradefylline on non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease: A subanalysis of a 1-year observational study in Japan (J-FIRST).

Introduction: The non-motor symptoms (NMSs) of Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly impact the patient's health-related quality of life. This subanalysis of the J-FIRST study evaluated the effect of istradefylline, a selective adenosine A receptor antagonist, on NMSs in istradefylline-naïve Japanese patients with PD.

Methods: Patients with PD and ≥1 NMS and 'wearing-off' with their current antiparkinsonian treatment were observed for up to 52 weeks.

Appropriate iMAR presets for metal artifact reduction from surgical clips and titanium burr hole covers on postoperative non-contrast brain CT.

Purpose: To evaluate suitable iterative metal artifact reduction (iMAR) presets for titanium neurosurgical clips and burr hole covers (BHCs) on postoperative non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT).

Method: Twenty-two patients who underwent NCCT after intracranial aneurysmal clipping were included. NCCT images were postprocessed using eight currently available iMAR presets.

Transient ischemic attack without self-awareness of symptoms witnessed by bystanders: analysis of the PROMISE-TIA registry.

Background And Purpose: A transient ischemic attack (TIA) can occur without self-awareness of symptoms. We aimed to investigate characteristics of patients with a tissue-based diagnosis of TIA but having no self-awareness of their symptoms and whose symptoms were witnessed by bystanders.

Methods: We used data from the multicenter registry of 1414 patients with a clinical diagnosis of TIA.

Impact of breast cancer subtype on clinical outcomes after Gamma Knife radiosurgery for brain metastases from breast cancer: a multi-institutional retrospective study (JLGK1702).

Introduction: Brain metastasis (BM) is one of the most important issues in the management of breast cancer (BC), since BMs are associated with neurological deficits. However, the importance of BC subtypes remains unclear for BM treated with Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS). Thus, we conducted a multicenter retrospective study to compare clinical outcomes based on BC subtypes, with the aim of developing an optimal treatment strategy.

Usefulness of deep learning-assisted identification of hyperdense MCA sign in acute ischemic stroke: comparison with readers' performance.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of deep learning-assisted diagnosis for identifying hyperdense middle cerebral artery sign (HMCAS) on non-contrast computed tomography in comparison with the diagnostic performance of neuroradiologists.

Materials And Methods: We obtained 46 HMCAS-positive and 52 HMCAS-negative test samples extracted using 50-pixel-diameter circular regions of interest. Five neuroradiologists undertook an initial diagnostic performance test by describing the HMCAS-positive prediction rate in each sample.

Real-World Nonmotor Changes in Patients with Parkinson's Disease and Motor Fluctuations: J-FIRST.

Background: Nonmotor symptoms (NMSs) of Parkinson's disease (PD) impair health-related quality of life.

Objectives: To identify changes in NMSs during 52 weeks in Japanese PD patients exhibiting motor fluctuations.

Methods: In PD patients with ≥1 NMS and wearing-off, changes in total/subscore of the Movement Disorder Society Unified PD Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) Part I and 8-item PD Questionnaire were assessed.

Accuracy and Efficacy of a Patient-Specific Drill Guide Template System for Lumbosacral Junction Fixation in Medium and Small Dogs: Cadaveric Study and Clinical Cases.

To develop drill guide templates as an intraoperative guide, and to evaluate the accuracy and safety of screw placement in the lumbosacral junction. Canine cadaveric specimens of the lumbosacral junction ( = 6), and clinical cases of lumbosacral instability ( = 3). Computed tomography data of the lumbosacral region of cadaveric specimens and clinical cases were obtained.

Salvage gamma knife radiosurgery for active brain metastases from small-cell lung cancer after whole-brain radiation therapy: a retrospective multi-institutional study (JLGK1701).

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) for brain metastases (BMs) from small-cell lung cancer after whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the usefulness and safety of GKS in 163 patients from 15 institutions with 1-10 active BMs after WBRT. The usefulness and safety of GKS were evaluated using statistical methods.

Evaluation of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration using dual energy CT virtual non-calcium imaging.

Purpose: To clarify the utility of dual energy CT (DECT) virtual non-calcium (VNCa) imaging for investigating lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.

Method: Fifty-three patients who underwent both DECT and MR imaging were retrospectively reviewed. Midsagittal T2-weighted imaging findings of all discs were classified based on modified Pfirrmann grade (mPG).

Development of a deep learning model to identify hyperdense MCA sign in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop an interactive deep learning-assisted identification of the hyperdense middle cerebral artery (MCA) sign (HMCAS) on non-contrast computed tomography (CT) among patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Materials And Methods: 35 HMCAS-positive and 39 HMCAS-negative samples extracted by 50-pixel-diameter circular regions of interest were obtained as training and validation datasets according to the consensus decisions of two experienced neuroradiologists. Data augmentation was performed to increase the number of training samples.

Impact of care coordination on oral anticoagulant therapy among patients with atrial fibrillation in routine clinical practice in Japan: a prospective, observational study.

Background: Care coordination between general practitioners (GPs) and cardiovascular specialists is expected to play a key role in establishing appropriate oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of care coordination on oral anticoagulant therapy in the management of AF in Japan.

Methods: This study was a multi-center, single-arm, prospective cohort study with retrospective chart and claims data review for historical controls.