Initial serum GM-CSF levels are associated with the severity of cerebral small vessel disease in microscopic polyangiitis patients.

Serum cytokine levels were comprehensively measured, and the association with cerebrovascular lesions on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) patients was investigated. The initial serum granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) levels were significantly higher in the high-grade white matter hyperintensities (WMH) group than those in the low-grade WMH group. In multivariate analyses, high serum levels of GM-CSF were independently associated with high-grade WMH. The initial serum GM-CSF levels correlated positively with the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score and semi-quantitative scales of WMH. The initial serum GM-CSF levels were associated with the severity of WMH in MPA patients.

Clinical features of Guillain-Barré syndrome patients with elevated serum creatine kinase levels.

BACKGROUND: It is not well defined whether Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patients with elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) levels have characteristic clinical features and are related to the subgroups of GBS. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 51 consecutive patients with GBS, who visited our hospital, and compared clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological findings between patients with and without elevated CK levels. RESULTS: Of 51 patients, 14 patients (27%) showed an elevation of serum CK levels. When compared with patients with the normal CK levels, the ratios of male, antecedent infections, and anti-GM1 antibody positivity were significantly higher in patients with elevated CK levels. The ratios of hypoesthesia, cranial nerve involvement, and urinary retention were significantly less in patients with elevated CK levels. There were no significant differences in disability at peak between two groups. In the electrophysiological examination, sensory nerve abnormalities were not observed. Although some patients with elevated CK levels showed prolongation of distal motor latencies (DMLs) and increase of durations in the initial examination, development of the prolongation of DMLs and increase of durations was not observed in the follow-up examinations. The findings were consistent with acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) with reversible conduction failure (RCF) but not acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the GBS patients with elevated CK levels represent not a group of AIDP but a group of AMAN with axonal degeneration or RCF even though the initial electrophysiological examination shows AIDP pattern.

Severe relapse of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis 5 years after initial symptom onset.

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is characterized by abnormal behavior, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, disturbance of consciousness, central hypoventilation, and movement disorders, with a tendency to occur in younger women. Immunotherapy and tumor removal, where applicable, are effective for this disorder. However, previous papers have shown neurological relapse in 12-24% of cases. We present a case of anti-NMDAR encephalitis relapse 5 years after the initial episode. Although the relapse was much more severe than the initial episode, she recovered with aggressive therapy using first- and second-line immunotherapies. Anti- NMDAR encephalitis could relapse with a more severe clinical course after several years. Aggressive immunotherapy including cyclophosphamide must be necessary even for recurrent cases of anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Preventive Effect of Cilostazol on Pneumonia in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction.

BACKGROUND: The antiplatelet drug cilostazol decreases the risk of ischemic stroke recurrence in patients with chronic cerebral infarction. Additionally, cilostazol reduces the occurrence of pneumonia in these patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cilostazol is effective for preventing pneumonia in patients with acute cerebral infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 199 consecutive Japanese patients with noncardioembolic acute cerebral infarction, who visited our hospital from January 2010 to April 2016, were retrospectively assessed by using medical records. We compared changes in the occurrence of pneumonia between cilostazol (n = 127) and noncilostazol (n = 72) groups. RESULTS: A total of 76% of patients in the cilostazol group were not administered other antiplatelet drugs. The median duration until cilostazol administration was 5 days (interquartile range = 2-8 days) after the onset of cerebral infarction. A total of 8.0% of the cohort was accompanied by pneumonia. The incidence of pneumonia in the cilostazol group was significantly lower than that in the noncilostazol group (4.7% versus 13.9%, P = .02). Within 30 days after acute cerebral infarction, the presence of neurological deterioration in the cilostazol group tended to be lower compared with the noncilostazol group, but this difference was not significant (5.5% versus 12.5%, P = .08). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that cilostazol is effective for preventing pneumonia in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Clinical characteristics of long-term survival with noninvasive ventilation and factors affecting the transition to invasive ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: We evaluated post-noninvasive ventilation survival and factors for the transition to tracheostomy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS: We analyzed 197 patients using a prospectively collected database with 114 patients since 2000. RESULTS: Among 114 patients, 59 patients underwent noninvasive ventilation (NIV), which prolonged the total median survival time to 43 months compared with 32 months without treatment. The best post-NIV survival was associated with a lack of bulbar symptoms, higher measured pulmonary function, and a slower rate of progression at diagnosis. The transition rate from NIV to tracheostomy gradually decreased over the years. Patients using NIV for more than 6 months were more likely to refuse tracheostomy and to be women. DISCUSSION: This study confirmed a positive survival effect with NIV, which was less effective in patients with bulbar dysfunction. Additional studies are required to determine the best timing for using NIV with ALS in patients with bulbar dysfunction. Muscle Nerve 58:770-776 2018.

Neurologic disorders associated with anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies: A comparison of anti-GAD antibody titers and time-dependent changes between neurologic disease and type I diabetes mellitus.

To determine clinical features of neurologic disorders associated with anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (anti-GAD-Ab), we examined titers and time-dependent changes of anti-GAD-Ab. Six patients, stiff person syndrome (2), cerebellar ataxia (1), limbic encephalitis (1), epilepsy (1), brainstem encephalitis (1), were compared with 87 type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients without neurologic disorders. Anti-GAD-Ab titers and index were higher in neurologic disorders than in T1DM, suggesting intrathecal antibody synthesis. Anti-GAD-Ab titers in T1DM decreased over time, whereas they remained high in neurologic disorders. Immunotherapy improved neurological disorders and anti-GAD-Ab titers and index provide clinically meaningful information about their diagnostic accuracy.

Herpes simplex virus type 2-associated recurrent aseptic meningitis (Mollaret's meningitis) with a recurrence after 11-year interval: a case report.

A 55-year-old woman was diagnosed with aseptic meningitis at the age of 43 and 44. She developed sudden fever and headache, and she showed nuchal rigidity. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed pleocytosis (cell count 208/mm3) and was positive for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) DNA by PCR. Acyclovir was started on the first day of admission, and she was complete recovery. Preserved cerebrospinal fluid specimen from aseptic meningitis at the age of 44 was also positive for HSV-2 DNA by PCR. She was diagnosed with HSV-2 associated recurrent aseptic meningitis (Mollaret's meningitis) with a recurrence after 11-year interval. She repeatedly relapsed genital herpes after 44 years old and she was treated with valacyclovir whenever genital herpes relapses. But she showed no genital herpes at the onset of meningitis. Because HSV-2 is one of the most significant causes of recurrent meningitis, we would like to stress that HSV-2 infection and antiviral therapy should always be kept in mind for a recurrent meningitis case.

A case of anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 antibody positive myopathy associated with lung cancer.

Myositis-specific autoantibodies (MSAs) are associated with myositis. Anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 (NXP-2) antibody was recently identified as a major MSA and was observed mostly in juvenile dermatomyositis. We report the case of a 44-year-old man who presented with myopathy with anti-NXP-2 antibody and large cell carcinoma of the lung. He was hospitalized because of myalgia and edema of limbs. Neurological examination revealed mild proximal-dominant weakness in all four extremities, and laboratory studies showed elevated creatine kinase level (6,432 IU/l). Needle electromyography showed myogenic patterns. MRI of the lower limbs demonstrated inflammatory lesions in the thighs. Biopsied specimen from the left quadriceps femoris muscle showed mild mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate surrounding muscle fibres but no fiber necrosis. He was diagnosed with myopathy based on neurological examinations and clinical symptoms. His chest X-ray and CT showed tumor shadow on the right upper lung field, but CT didn't indicate the findings of interstitial lung disease. This was surgically removed, and a histological diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer was suspected. He was also treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy before and after operation. His symptoms of myopathy promptly remitted with the preoperative chemotherapy. His serum analysis was positive for the anti-NXP-2. Further investigation and experience of MSAs are necessary to evaluate the therapeutic strategy against cancer-associated myopathy/myositis.

Serial electrophysiological findings in Guillain-Barré syndrome not fulfilling AIDP or AMAN criteria.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is categorized into two major subtypes: acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN). However, a proportion of patients are electrophysiologically unclassified because of electrophysiological findings that do not fulfil AIDP or AMAN criteria, and underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and lesion distributions of unclassified patients are not well defined. The aims of this study are to elucidate disease pathophysiology and lesion distribution in unclassified patients. We retrospectively studied 48 consecutive GBS patients. Patients were classified on the basis of initial electrophysiological findings according to Ho's criteria. Clinical and serial electrophysiological examinations of unclassified patients were conducted. Twelve (25 %) GBS patients were unclassified. All unclassified patients were able to walk independently at 21 days after onset. No unclassified patients, except one patient with diabetes mellitus, had sensory nerve involvement. Eight patients underwent a follow-up study within 15 days of the initial study. Distal motor latencies (DMLs) of the left median motor nerve were found to be significantly and uniformly decreased compared with initial studies (p = 0.008). DMLs (p < 0.0001) and distal compound action potential (CMAP) durations (p = 0.002) of all nerves were significantly decreased, and distal CMAP amplitudes (p = 0.026) significantly increased compared with initial studies. In unclassified GBS patients, DML values during initial electrophysiological studies would be prolonged compared with expected values in the same patient unaffected by GBS and later improve rapidly with increased distal CMAP amplitudes without the development of excessive temporal dispersions. Lesions are also present in distal nerve segments caused by reversible conduction failure.

An electrophysiological classification associated with Guillain-Barré syndrome outcomes.

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute, post-infectious, inflammatory, autoimmune peripheral neuropathy with a highly diverse clinical course and outcome. We classified GBS on the basis of patients' first nerve conduction and validated this system to be associated with outcome on the basis of electrophysiological characteristics during the acute phase of GBS. We retrospectively evaluated 40 GBS patients who underwent their first electrophysiological study within 14 days of onset and classified GBS into four patterns: (1) acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) pattern with sensory nerve conduction abnormalities (motor-sensory AIDP: MS-AIDP), (2) AIDP pattern without sensory nerve conduction abnormalities (motor AIDP: M-AIDP), (3) acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) pattern, and (4) minor abnormalities pattern. We compared the clinical, electrophysiological, and laboratory findings between groups and determined subgroups associated with poor outcome. The MS-AIDP and AMAN patterns more frequently exhibited prolonged recovery compared with the M-AIDP and minor abnormalities patterns and were associated with prolonged recovery (specificity, 100%; sensitivity, 73%; P < 0.001). The period of inability to walk independently was significantly longer in the MS-AIDP and AMAN patterns than in the M-AIDP and minor abnormalities patterns (median 85 vs. 10 days; P < 0.001). In conclusion, our classification of GBS using a single nerve conduction study in the early phase of disease is associated with outcomes. This classification can be used to counsel individual patients and guide decision-making with respect to treatment.

Tracheostomy and invasive ventilation in Japanese ALS patients: decision-making and survival analysis: 1990-2010.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the factors related to the choice of a tracheostomy and invasive ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and to determine survival time after a tracheostomy at a single institute in Japan between 1990 and 2010. METHODS: Data for survival time until death or tracheostomy were obtained from 160 patients. Fifty-two patients (33%) underwent tracheostomy/mechanical ventilation. RESULTS: Tracheostomy and invasive ventilation prolonged median survival time (74 months), as did non-invasive ventilation (48 months) when compared to a non-ventilation-supported control group (32 months; p<0.001 each). The ratio of tracheostomy/mechanical ventilation in patients >65 years old significantly increased after 1999 (27%) compared to earlier years (10%, p=0.002). Cox proportional modeling confirmed an age of ≤65 years as advantageous for long-term survival after a tracheostomy. In univariate logistic regression analysis, factors related to the decision to perform a tracheostomy included an age of ≤65 years, greater use of non-invasive ventilation, the presence of a spouse, interval and speed from disease onset to diagnosis/tracheostomy and preservation of motor function. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, age, shorter duration from disease onset until tracheostomy and the presence of a spouse were independently associated with the decision to perform a tracheostomy. Kaplan-Meier plots revealed longer survival times in patients who resided at home after a tracheostomy compared to patients who stayed at a hospital (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Tracheostomy and invasive ventilation are frequently used in Japan. Various factors impact patients' decisions to have these procedures. This study identified factors related to the decision-making process and post-tracheostomy survival.

Postural abnormality as a risk marker for leg deep venous thrombosis in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary thromboembolism is a common cause of death in patients with autopsy-confirmed Parkinsonism. This study investigated the incidence of leg deep vein thrombosis in Parkinson's disease and relationships between deep vein thrombosis and clinical/laboratory findings, including postural abnormalities as assessed by photographic measurements. METHODS: This cross-sectional study assessed the presence of deep vein thrombosis using bilateral leg Doppler ultrasonography in 114 asymptomatic outpatients with Parkinson's disease. RESULTS: Deep vein thrombosis was detected in 23 patients (20%) with Parkinson's disease. Deep vein thrombosis was located in the distal portion in 18 patients and in the proximal portion in 5 patients. No significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, disease duration, Hoehn-Yahr stage, anti-Parkinson's drugs, or daily levodopa-equivalent dose were seen between deep vein thrombosis-positive and -negative groups. Univariate analysis for developing deep vein thrombosis in patients with Parkinson's disease identified the following markers: long-term wheelchair use, bent knee, bent spine, and D-dimer elevation. Bending angles were significantly greater in the deep vein thrombosis-positive group at the knee and spine than in the deep vein thrombosis-negative group. Half of Parkinson's disease patients with camptocormia had deep vein thrombosis. Among diabetes mellitus cases, long-term wheelchair use, bent knee over 15°, camptocormia, D-dimer elevation, the more risk markers were associated with a higher incidence of DVT. The presence of risk markers contributed to the development of deep vein thrombosis. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, a bent knee posture was strongly associated with an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Presence of leg deep vein thrombosis correlated with postural abnormalities in Parkinson's disease. We recommend non-invasive ultrasonographic screening for leg deep vein thrombosis in these high-risk patients with Parkinson's disease.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) induces peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), one of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, is a neuroprotective lipid with anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the possible therapeutic effect of EPA on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE mice were fed a diet with or without EPA. The clinical EAE scores of the EPA-fed mice were significantly lower than those of the non-EPA mice. In the EPA-treated mice, IFN-γ and IL-17 productions were remarkably inhibited and the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors were significantly enhanced in the CNS-infiltrating CD4T cells. Thus EPA shows promise as a potential new therapeutic agent against multiple sclerosis.

The Relation of Urinary 8-OHdG, A Marker of Oxidative Stress to DNA, and Clinical Outcomes for Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress/free radical generation after ischemic stroke contributes to neuronal cell injury. We evaluated the utility of an oxidative stress marker, urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), to demonstrate an association between the changes of 8-OHdG and outcomes after acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: We enrolled 44 patients (26 males and 18 females) who visited our hospital due to acute ischemic stroke. Urine was collected on admission and on Days 7, and 8-OHdG was measured by ELISA. The relationships between 8-OHdG levels, stroke subtypes, and clinical outcomes based on the NIHSS and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) upon discharge was evaluated. RESULTS: In the overall cohort, the mean urinary level of 8-OHdG on Day 7 was increased than that on Day 0. The 8-OHdG levels on Day 0 were not different between patients with poor and good outcomes. However, an increasing rate from Day 0 to 7 (Δ 8-OHdG) in stroke patients with a poor outcome(mRS ≥3) was significantly higher than those with a good outcome (mRS ≤2) (2.54 vs 39.44, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The biochemical changes related to 8-OHdG and oxidative stress may be considered a marker of ischemic brain injury and clinical outcome of ischemic stroke.

[Lumbar radiculopathy presenting neuralgic amyotrophy with gadolinium-enhanced MRI lesions: a case report].

A 40-year-old man presented with sudden onset of severe left buttock pain that radiated down the thigh to the leg. On examination, he showed moderate weakness and atrophy in the left quadriceps and tibialis anterior muscles, and absence of a left patellar tendon reflex. Needle electromyography revealed an active denervation pattern in the left quadriceps muscles, suggesting neuralgic amyotrophy. Contrast-enhanced MRI showed abnormal enhancement of the left cauda equina. Steroid pulse therapy relieved pain, and subsequent high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin prevented progression of muscle atrophy and weakness. Neuralgic amyotrophy is characterized by attacks of severe neuropathic pain and subsequent patchy paresis in the upper or lower extremities. Since overall recovery is less favourable than usually assumed, early diagnosis is very important. This case was remarkable in that contrast-enhanced MRI revealed abnormal enhancement and thickening of the cauda equina, which may help in achieving early diagnosis and treatment.