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Significance The mechanisms responsible for brain α-synuclein (αS) dyshomeostasis, caused by Gaucher’s GBA1 mutations that increase Parkinson’s disease (PD) risk, are largely unknown. We previously showed that abrogating physiological αS tetramers by a familial PD-E46K–amplified 3K mutation produces PD-like syndrome in mice and that treatment with stearoyl-CoA desaturase inhibitors increased a portion of the αS tetramers, benefitting the motor phenotypes. Here, we show that—similar to previous findings in GBA1-mutant PD culture—GCase elevation prolonged the stabilization of wild-type and 3K mutant αS tetramers in wtGBA1–transduced mouse brains, improving lysosomal integrity and motor and cognitive phenotypes. These data help elucidating lipid modulators that impact the αS physiological state in vivo and the development of PD therapeutic approaches., Loss-of-function mutations in acid beta-glucosidase 1 (GBA1) are among the strongest genetic risk factors for Lewy body disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia (DLB). Altered lipid metabolism in PD patient–derived neurons, carrying either GBA1 or PD αS mutations, can shift the physiological α-synuclein (αS) tetramer–monomer (T:M) equilibrium toward aggregation-prone monomers. A resultant increase in pSer129+ αS monomers provides a likely building block for αS aggregates. 3K αS mice, representing a neuropathological amplification of the E46K PD–causing mutation, have decreased αS T:M ratios and vesicle-rich αS+ aggregates in neurons, accompanied by a striking PD-like motor syndrome. We asked whether enhancing glucocerebrosidase (GCase) expression could benefit αS dyshomeostasis by delivering an adeno-associated virus (AAV)–human wild-type (wt) GBA1 vector into the brains of 3K neonates. Intracerebroventricular AAV-wtGBA1 at postnatal day 1 resulted in prominent forebrain neuronal GCase expression, sustained through 6 mo. GBA1 attenuated behavioral deficits both in working memory and fine motor performance tasks. Furthermore, wtGBA1 increased αS solubility and the T:M ratio in both 3K-GBA mice and control littermates and reduced pS129+ and lipid-rich aggregates in 3K-GBA. We observed GCase distribution in more finely dispersed lysosomes, in which there was increased GCase activity, lysosomal cathepsin D and B maturation, decreased perilipin-stabilized lipid droplets, and a normalized TFEB translocation to the nucleus, all indicative of improved lysosomal function and lipid turnover. Therefore, a prolonged increase of the αS T:M ratio by elevating GCase activity reduced the lipid- and vesicle-rich aggregates and ameliorated PD-like phenotypes in mice, further supporting lipid modulating therapies in PD.

In a previous study of 22 severely growth-retarded children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), endocrinologic evaluation revealed hypogonadism and low growth hormone (HGH) levels. This was attributed to a secondary hypopituitarism. In order to assess this hypothesis, two individuals from this group and another similar child who was not so severely growth-retarded as to be included in the initial study were given HGH replacement in an acute trial and for a 6-month interval. No significant height increment could be attributed to the HGH administration although a definite anabolic response was present in each patient during the acute trial. It appears that the youngsters with IBD may have a relative end-organ resistance to the metabolic and growth-promoting effects of HGH and that their growth problems are not related to hypopituitarism.

A rapid, safe method of dilating tight esophageal strictures utilizing the Eder-Puestow dilators and the fiberoptic esophagoscope is described.

nary parenchyma or in the walls of the blood vessels. These findings, especially the plasmacytoid lymphocytes, are consistent with the pathologic diagnosis of Waldenstrom's macroglobu Iinem ia.' Shortly after the lung biopsy, the patient's hematocrit dropped from 35% to 28%, and she was also noted to have melena and guaiac-positive stools. Repeated upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed with the Olympus Model GFB-2 fiberscope. On this examination the body of the stomach was found to be extremely abnormal with hemorrhage, friability, adherent mucus, and nodularity. There were multiple areas of deep, irregular, poorly demarcated ulceration. The biopsy showed heavy infiltration of the stomach with lymphocytes, plasma cells and plasmacytoid lymphocytes (Figure 2). This mixed lymphoid infiltrate is consistent with Waldenstrom's disease.' The patient was treated for a month with 100 mg daily of oral cyclophosphamide, and repeated endoscopy with the Olympus Model GFB2 fiberscope revealed significant improvement. There were 3 to 4 superficial ulcerations in the distal body of the stomach. The mucosa through this area still appeared infiltrated. There was less friability of the mucosa than on the previous examination, but the endoscopic biopsy continued to show the presence of plasmacytoid lymphocytes.