Search

Objective Prediction of time until and causes of becoming bedridden may help patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) plan their productive lives. This study assessed the relationship between the age at the PD onset and time taken to reach Hoehn and Yahr stage (HY) 5 as well as the causes of motor decline to HY5 in Japanese patients with PD. Patients and Methods We enrolled patients with PD who visited our institute between April 2015 and December 2020, met the UK brain bank criteria, had medical records from the early PD stage, and had had HY5 for over three months. The relationship between the age at the PD onset and the disease duration was evaluated. Data on the possible causes of motor decline to HY5 were obtained from patients, caregivers or medical records. Results In total, 123 patients with PD (mean age at the PD onset was 69.3 years old; 80 women and 43 men) were included. The age at the PD onset was significantly and negatively correlated with the time until the decline to HY5. Among the 123 patients, 49 reported that the natural course of PD caused the decline to HY5. Possible events that accelerated the motor decline to HY5 included traumatic injury, pneumonia, and other medical or social conditions that might have resulted in reduced daily activities. Conclusions The time until the decline to HY5 can be estimated based on the age at the PD onset. In addition to natural PD progression, medical or social conditions that reduce physical activity may accelerate motor decline to HY5.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 31 (SCA31) is an autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia commonly observed in Japan. However, few neuropathological examinations have been conducted. Here we report the case of a 76-year-old Japanese male SCA31 patient. He noticed dysarthria and difficulty walking at 65 years old. His symptoms subsequently deteriorated, although he could still walk with assistance at 70 years. At 73 years, when he could no longer walk, he was admitted to our hospital. He showed severe limb and truncal ataxia. His father and older brother had shown the same symptoms. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed cerebellar atrophy of the anterior lobe and white matter hyperintensities. He was diagnosed with SCA31 by genetic analysis. Gradually, his cognitive functions and ability to communicate declined. He died of respiratory failure at the age of 76. Neuropathological examination revealed severe Purkinje cell loss that was accentuated in the anterior lobe of the cerebellum. Furthermore, the remaining Purkinje cells showed abnormal processes (that is, halo-like amorphous materials), as has been reported previously. Severe deposition of hyperphosphorylated tau-positive neurites, many senile plaques and amyloid angiopathy were observed in the neocortex. Our findings suggest that in SCA31, accelerated tau and amyloid pathology in the neocortex might induce dementia at the terminal stage.

Background: This multicentre open-label trial examined the efficacy and safety of the traditional Japanese medicine, or Kampo medicine, yokukansan (YKS), for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. Methods: Sixty-three dementia with Lewy bodies patients with probable BPSD (M : W, 30 : 33; mean age, 78.2 ± 5.8 years) were enrolled and treated with YKS for 4 weeks. Results: Significant improvements in Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores (mean decrease, 12.5 points; P < 0.001) and Zarit Burden Interview-Japanese edition tests (mean decrease, 3.6 points; P= 0.024) were observed. In patients who consented to an assessment after 2 weeks of treatment, a time-dependent significant improvement was observed in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory score (n= 23; mean decrease, 14.4; P < 0.001), each subscale, including delusions and hallucinations, the Zarit Burden Interview-Japanese edition (n= 22; mean decrease, 8.2; P < 0.01) and the behavioural pathology in Alzheimer's disease insomnia subscale. The Mini-Mental State Examination and the Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) showed no significant change. Adverse events were observed in 11 (18%) patients. Three patients (5%) discontinued YKS due to adverse reactions, namely, spasticity and exacerbation of BPSD, edema, and nausea. Hypokalaemia (

Background Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is sometimes confused with Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and other disorders. The typical clinical features are categorized as Richardson's syndrome (RS), but other clinical subtypes include PSP-parkinsonism (PSP-P) and PSP-pure akinesia with gait freezing (PSP-PAGF). In this study, we determined the prevalence of PSP in a Japanese rural area compared to our previous 1999 report. Methods We collected data in Yonago City from 2009 to 2014 using a service-based study of PSP. We collected case history data from PSP patients in the area from our hospital. The crude prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using the population demographics on the prevalence day of 1 October 2010. Age- and sex-adjusted prevalence was calculated by direct standardization to the population demographics in Yonago City on the prevalence day of 1 April 1999. Material and Results We identified 25 patients: 16 with probable RS, 4 with possible RS, 3 with clinical PSP-P, and 2 with clinical PSP-PAGF. The prevalence per 100,000 was 17.90 (male = 18.05; female = 17.76). The prevalence of PSP in Yonago in 2010 increased compared to the measurements from 1999. Conclusion The prevalence of PSP in Japan increased from 1999 to 2010.

Background and purpose: We investigated dementia in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) in order to characterize the prevalence and nature of impairments in these patients. Methods: Fifty-eight MSA patients were recruited in our institution between April 1996 and December 2006 and investigated. Results: Of 58 patients, 10 were diagnosed with dementia. There were no significant differences in age at onset, gender, duration of disease, or severity of cerebellar dysfunction between patients with and without dementia. The early and delayed heart to mediastinum (H/M) ratios obtained with 123I-metaidobenylguanidine (MIBG) cardiac scintigraphy were significantly decreased in patients with dementia compared with those without dementia. Of the 10 patients with dementia, three were found to have cognitive decline that preceded onset of motor symptoms. White matter lesions were evident in these patients, whilst frontal atrophy was prominent in patients whose cognitive decline was preceded by onset of motor symptoms. Conclusions: Dementia in patients with MSA may be more common than previously thought, furthermore, we speculate that clinical features of dementia in these patients might be heterogeneous.

This study examined the diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers and iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) cardiac scintigraphy in distinguishing dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) from Alzheimer's disease (AD).CSF levels of amyloid beta1-42 (Abeta42) and 181-Thr phosphorylated tau (p-tau) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. (123)I-MIBG cardiac scintigraphy was performed in patients with AD and DLB, and control (CTL) subjects.Increased CSF levels of p-tau in AD were found compared to DLB patients and CTL subjects (P0.01), but there was no significant difference in CSF levels of Abeta42 between AD and DLB patients. The early and delayed heart to mediastinum (H/M) ratios of (123)I-MIBG cardiac scintigraphy were significantly decreased in patients with DLB compared to AD patients and CTL subjects (P0.01). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed that the diagnostic value of (123)I-MIBG cardiac scintigraphy was superior to that of CSF markers.(123)I-MIBG cardiac scintigraphy may be useful for discriminating between DLB and AD.

Objective – To assess hallucinations in Parkinson’s disease (PD), we developed a novel practical rating scale that evaluates five items including variety, frequency, and severity of hallucinations, caregiver burden levels, and psychiatric status at nighttime. Methods – Forty-one PD patients and their caregivers were examined regarding the status of the hallucinations associated with PD. Results – As a measure of internal consistency, the Tottori University Hallucination Rating Scale (TUHARS) has a Cronbach’s α of 0.88. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Hoehn–Yahr stage were associated with the TUHARS scores in a multivariate regression analysis. Visual hallucinations are the most common. However, half of the patients who reported visual hallucinations also had other hallucinations. The scale scores in the PD patients with dementia (PDD) group were significantly greater than in the PD patients without dementia (PDnD) group. Conclusions – TUHARS appears to be a suitable and easily administered instrument for assessment of hallucinations in PD. PD patients experienced various kinds of hallucinations. Hallucinations may have a close relationship with cognitive decline in PD patients.

The pathogenic events that lead to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have not been elucidated. We previously described familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) caused by a Leu126delTT mutation in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1) and have produced transgenic mice (TgM) carrying the same mutation (SOD1(L126delTT) TgM), which exhibited distinct ALS-like motor symptoms and pathological findings. In this study, we analyzed gene expression in the spinal cord of SOD1(L126delTT) TgM by cDNA microarray. Eleven genes were upregulated and two genes downregulated in pre-symptomatic TgM. In post-symptomatic TgM, 54 genes were upregulated and four genes downregulated. We performed real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of 10 of the 54 upregulated genes in the post-symptomatic TgM. The results of real-time PCR were consistent with those obtained by microarray for micro-crystallin (Crym), heat shock protein 1 (Hspb1/HSP27), serine proteinase inhibitor clade A member 3N (Serpina3n), complement component 1q subcomponent beta polypeptide (C1qb), cathepsin H (Ctsh) and polyadenylate binding protein-interacting protein 1 (Paip1). In immunohistochemical analysis, Hsbp1/HSP27 and Ctsh expression levels were increased in reactive astrocytes at the ventral horn of the spinal cord in post-symptomatic TgM, as were Crym, some of Ctsh and Paip1 in microglial cells. Increased expression of those genes was not observed in the control mice. These four genes may be related to the pathogenesis of FALS, especially with regard to the progression of reactive astrocytes and the inflammatory response of microglial cells.

Mutation of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) contributes to a portion of the cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). We previously reported on a FALS family whose members had a mutant form of SOD1 characterized by a 2-base pair (bp) deletion at codon 126 of the SOD1 gene. To investigate the cellular consequences of this mutation, we produced transgenic mice that expressed normal and mutated copies of human SOD1: wild-type SOD1 (W), wild-type SOD1 with a FLAG epitope at C-terminal (WF), mutated SOD1 with the 2-bp deletion (D), and SOD1 with the 2-bp deletion with FLAG (DF). The mice heterozygotic for the human mutated SOD1 (D and DF) showed distinct ALS-like motor symptoms, whereas the mice heterozygotic for the normal SOD1 (W and WF) mice did not. Homozygotes of D and DF lines showed the ALS symptoms at an earlier age and died earlier than the heterozygotes. By Northern blot analysis, the mRNAs for all human SOD1s were confirmed in these lines. All the human SOD1 proteins, except the D mutant, were detectable by immunoblot. The D protein was only confirmed when it was concentrated by immunoprecipitation. Neuropathologically, loss of spinal motor neurons and reactive gliosis were common features in the symptomatic lines. The remaining motor neurons in these mice also exhibited eosinophilic inclusions. The biochemical and pathological characteristics of these mice are quite similar to those of human FALS patients with same mutation. This intriguing model will provide an important source of information of the pathogenesis of FALS.

Background Multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) is useful to inspect cardiovascular pathologic changes with minimal invasiveness. Here we evaluated the usefulness of MDCTA to determine the cause of acute multiple brain infarction (AMBI). Methods AMBI was defined as multiple recent infarcts demonstrated on diffusion-weighted imaging. A new infarction within 2 weeks from the last was also considered an AMBI. Results Between January 2012 and December 2013, 967 patients were diagnosed with acute brain infarction and 138 (14.3%) with AMBI. Among them, 57 (39 men and 18 women; age, 38-93 years) were examined by MDCTA using the dual-phase method. All images were diagnostic, even if patients found it difficult to hold their breath. Fifteen patients (26.3%) were diagnosed with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Two had complications of atrial fibrillation (AF), necessitating anticoagulant therapy (ACT). Four had both PFO and severe aortic atherosclerotic plaque formation, necessitating single antiplatelet therapy (APT) and/or ACT. Fifteen patients (26.3%) developed complicated arterial plaques around the aortic arch and were administered single or dual APT and/or ACT, except 1 patient with a history of multiple cerebral bleeding. Nine patients had pre-existing AF. Furthermore, ACT was initiated for 2 other patients with thrombus or circulatory stasis in the left atrial appendage despite normal electrocardiographic findings. Two other patients were diagnosed with advanced cancer, which was considered Trousseau syndrome. The cause of AMBI was determined in 36 (63.2%) patients. Conclusions MDCTA is a useful and less invasive method to identify the cause of embolic infarction.

A170 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) are characterized as oxidative stress-inducible proteins whose induction depends upon common transcription factor via antioxidant responsive element. We investigated the expression of A170 and HO-1 in the cerebellum after kainate administration. In situ hybridization showed constitutive expression of A170 and HO-1 mRNA in Purkinje cell layer; mild induction of A170 or HO-1 was detected, respectively, 8 or 24 h after kainate administration. Immunohistochemical studies also demonstrated that constitutive expression and the induction of A170 protein in Purkinje cells; the induction of HO-1 protein was detected in Bergmann glia but not in Purkinje cells. Thus, the transcription factors involved in the induction of A170 might be different from those in the induction of HO-1 under kainate-mediated excitotoxicity. The existence of cell type-specific stress response was suggested.

Stress proteins play important roles in the protective mechanisms under critical conditions for cell survival. We report here the expression of A170 and MSP23, oxidative stress-inducible proteins, under kainate-mediated excitotoxicity in the rat brain. A170 mRNA was significantly induced in the brain 5-8 h after i.p. kainate administration. MSP23 mRNA was observed at quite a low level in the rat brain, and the induction of MSP23 mRNA was not observed during the period 24 h after kainate administration. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that the maximal expression level of A170 protein occurred 8 h after treatment in each part of the brain. MSP23 protein was constitutively expressed in the brain and the level of this protein was significantly decreased during the period 24 h after kainate administration. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical studies showed that A170 was expressed predominantly in neurons, especially in pyramidal neurons of the cerebrum and cerebellar Purkinje cells, while MSP23 was expressed in oligodendrocytes. The induction of A170 was observed in the regions which are affected by excitotoxicity and this induction was observed in the earlier phase than cell death. Also, the region which shows high vulnerability to excitotoxicity such as pyramidal cell layer in the hippocampus, showed lower A170 expression than that which shows resistance to excitotoxicity, such as the dentate gyrus in the hippocampus. These results suggest that A170 may play a protective role in the brain under kainate-mediated excitotoxicity.

This multicentre open-label trial examined the efficacy and safety of the traditional Japanese medicine, or Kampo medicine, yokukansan (YKS), for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.Sixty-three dementia with Lewy bodies patients with probable BPSD (M:W, 30:33; mean age, 78.2±5.8 years) were enrolled and treated with YKS for 4 weeks.Significant improvements in Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores (mean decrease, 12.5 points; P0.001) and Zarit Burden Interview-Japanese edition tests (mean decrease, 3.6 points; P=0.024) were observed. In patients who consented to an assessment after 2 weeks of treatment, a time-dependent significant improvement was observed in the Neuropsychiatric Inventory score (n=23; mean decrease, 14.4; P0.001), each subscale, including delusions and hallucinations, the Zarit Burden Interview-Japanese edition (n=22; mean decrease, 8.2; P0.01) and the behavioural pathology in Alzheimer's disease insomnia subscale. The Mini-Mental State Examination and the Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) showed no significant change. Adverse events were observed in 11 (18%) patients. Three patients (5%) discontinued YKS due to adverse reactions, namely, spasticity and exacerbation of BPSD, edema, and nausea. Hypokalaemia (3.5 mEq/L) was present in four patients (6%) at the study endpoint. Worsening of extrapyramidal symptoms was not observed.YKS improved BPSD in dementia with Lewy bodies patients and caregiver burden scores without deterioration in cognitive function. YKS is useful for the treatment of delusions and hallucinations in BPSD.

Background Uptake of 123 I-labeled meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) in myocardial scintigrams has been shown to be as low in patients with idiopathic RBD as in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Aim for study To clarify whether the existence of RBD accelerates autonomic dysfunction in PD, we investigated the association between MIBG scintigraphic findings and RBD measures among non-dementia PD patients. Subjects & methods We conducted clinical interviews to assess REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) symptoms, and performed polysomnograms (PSG) recordings and MIBG scintigrams on 49 PD patients. The patients were divided into three groups (PD with clinical RBD, PD with subclinical RBD, and PD with normal REM sleep). Results PD patients with clinical RBD had reduced MIBG uptake as determined by heart-to-mediastinum ratios of the delayed image compared to those with subclinical RBD and those with normal REM sleep. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that only the existence of RBD symptoms was significantly associated with reduced MIBG uptake among PD patients without dementia after adjusting for demographic and PD symptom-related variables. Conclusion PD patients with clinical RBD might suffer from a wider α-synuclein pathology, including reduced cardiac sympathetic ganglia function as reflected by a lowered MIBG uptake.

Background: Multiple cellular functions are compromised in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In familial ALS (FALS) with Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mutations, the mechanisms by which the mutation in SOD1 leads to such a wide range of abnormalities remains elusive. Methodology/Principal Findings: To investigate underlying cellular conditions caused by the SOD1 mutation, we explored mutant SOD1-interacting proteins in the spinal cord of symptomatic transgenic mice expressing a mutant SOD1, SOD1 Leu126delTT with a FLAG sequence (DF mice). This gene product is structurally unable to form a functional homodimer. Tissues were obtained from both DF mice and disease-free mice expressing wild-type with FLAG SOD1 (WF mice). Both FLAG-tagged SOD1 and cross-linking proteins were enriched and subjected to a shotgun proteomic analysis. We identified 34 proteins (or protein subunits) in DF preparations, while in WF preparations, interactions were detected with only 4 proteins. Conclusions/Significance: These results indicate that disease-causing mutant SOD1 likely leads to inadequate proteinprotein interactions. This could be an early and crucial process in the pathogenesis of FALS.

Background: With the striking increase in the number of elderly people in Japan, dementia has not only become a medical but also a social issue. Methods: We studied the prevalence of dementing disorders in a rural island town of Japan (Ama-cho), using a door-to-door 2-phase design. Results: Of the 120 persons screened as having cognitive impairment, 104 people were diagnosed as having dementia. The prevalence (cases/100 persons aged 65 years and older) was 11.0 for all types of dementia, 7.0 for Alzheimer’s disease, 1.7 for vascular dementia, 0.53 for dementia with Lewy bodies, 0.74 for Parkinson’s disease dementia, 0.21 for progressive supranuclear palsy, 0.11 for frontotemporal lobar degeneration and 0.74 for other dementia. The overall prevalence was higher in women for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia, and in men, for vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Conclusion: We confirmed the overall prevalence of dementia in the elderly population aged 65 years and older to be 11.0. This finding is higher compared with previous reports in Japan.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a lethal neurodegenerative disease, which selectively affects motor neurons throughout the central nervous system. The extensive distribution of motor neurons is an obstacle to applying cell transplantation therapy for the treatment of ALS. To overcome this problem, we developed a cell transplantation method via the fourth cerebral ventricle in mice. We used mouse olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as donor cells. OECs are reported to promote regeneration and remyelination in the spinal cord, while MSCs have a capability to differentiate into several types of specific cells including neural cells. Furthermore both types of cells can be relatively easily obtained by biopsy in human. Initially, we confirmed the safety of the operative procedure and broad distribution of grafted cells in the spinal cord using wild-type mice. After transplantation, OECs distributed widely and survived as long as 100 days after transplantation, with a time-dependent depletion of cell number. In ALS model mice, OEC transplantation revealed no adverse effects but no significant differences in clinical evaluation were found between OEC-treated and non-transplanted animals. After MSC transplantation into the ALS model mice, females, but not males, showed a statistically longer disease duration than the non-transplanted controls. We conclude that intrathecal transplantation could be a promising way to deliver donor cells to the central nervous system. Further experiments to elucidate relevant conditions for optimal outcomes are required.

We investigated the time course of ultrastructural changes of mitochondria in the spinal cord of homozygotes of Leu126TTdel SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1) with FLAG (signal sequence at the C-terminal protein) transgenic mice (DF-homo). Non-Tg mice and wild-type human SOD1 with FLAG epitope transgenic mice (WF) were investigated as controls for non-onset Tg mice. Expansion and vacuolation of the mitochondrial matrix was exhibited in motor neurons in the anterior horns of DF-homo Tg mice at the presymptomatic stage. Such mitochondrial degeneration became severe at the postsymptomatic stage. In contrast, expansion of the mitochondrial inner-membrane space was not evident even at the terminal stage. Microvacuoles of cytoplasm and fibrillar inclusions were rarely shown from the early symptomatic stage. WF mice showed expansion and vacuolation of the mitochondrial inner membrane space at old age. Non-Tgs showed no obvious change in mitochondria. Gold-labeled human SOD1 immunoreactivity showed small amount of gold deposits in the vacuolated mitochondria. These results suggest that the expansion and vacuolation of mitochondrial matrix in the spinal cord of DF-homo transgenic mice is the first pathological change, but that it is not directly caused by the aggregation of an abnormal human SOD1 protein in intermembrane space of mitochondria.

Objective – We investigated executive function in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients, and focused on executive dysfunction in PD with hallucinations, but without dementia. Methods – PD patients were classified by cognitive or neuropsychotic status as PD group, PD with vivid dreaming group, PD with hallucinations group and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) group. Psychomotor speed tests, the Stroop test, a verbal fluency test and the Self-rating Depression Scale were performed. Results – The PDD group showed poorer scores in every test compared with the PD group. The PD with hallucinations group showed results similar to those of the PDD group, while the PD with vivid dreaming group was similar to the PD group. Conclusions – The study suggests that PD patients with hallucinations, not extensive enough to qualify as dementia, already have executive dysfunction similar to that seen in PDD patients. Executive dysfunction may be an important substrate for hallucinations even when dementia is not yet apparent.

Objectives – In order to explore factors associated with the development of dementia in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), we systematically investigated the clinical evaluation of PD and DLB patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurology at Tottori University Hospital, Japan. Results – There were 208 patients diagnosed as having PD and 39 patients diagnosed with DLB in this study. Of the patients with PD, 67 (32%) developed dementia and only five PD+ patients were considered to have cognitive impairment attributable to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD). Fifty-four (81%) PDD patients had visual hallucinations (VH) with or without cognitive fluctuation. The onset age of parkinsonian motor symptoms of patients with PD dementia (PDD) did not differ from that of PD patients without dementia. There was a significant inverse correlation between the onset age of motor symptoms in PD and the onset of their dementia in PDD. Seventy-five (36%) patients with PD had experienced VH and most of the PDD patients had experienced VH within 1 year before or after diagnosis of PDD. Conclusions – These results indicate that aging and VH are important factors associated with dementia in PD.

Background Postganglionic cardiac sympathetic denervation is evident in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and iodine-123 metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) cardiac scintigraphy has proven to be a useful tool for diagnosis of PD. Objective To elucidate the factors associated with severity of cardiac sympathetic nerve dysfunction in PD patients. Methods We investigated 95 PD patients hospitalized in the Department of Neurology at Tottori University Hospital. 123I-MIBG cardiac scintigraphy was performed on each patient and the early and delayed heart to mediastinum (H/M) ratios and washout rate (WR) of 123I-MIBG cardiac scintigraphy were calculated. Independent predictive variables for parameters of 123I-MIBG cardiac scintigraphy were analyzed by multivariate regression analysis. Results Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the presence of visual hallucinations (VH) and the patient’s age at the time of evaluation independently predicted the early or delayed H/M ratio. Analysis of covariance, adjusted for the age of the patients as covariates, revealed that the early and delayed H/M ratios of PD patients with VH but no dementia, as well as PD patients with dementia were significantly lower than the ratios in PD patients with no VH or dementia. Conclusion Cardiac sympathetic dysfunction may be associated with the presence of VH in PD patients.

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is induced under various stresses. Here we report the induction and localization of HO-1 in the rat brain by intraperitoneal administration of kainic acid (KA). Both mRNA and protein of HO-1 were markedly induced by KA treatment, and each maximal induction was observed 24 h after KA administration. In situ hybridization analysis showed that HO-1 mRNA appeared predominantly in glial cells, and confined neurons were positive in the cerebral cortex, basal ganglia, and hippocampal pyramidal cell layer. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the positive cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were mainly astrocytes and microglia, whereas neurons in the basal ganglia showed intense immunoreactivity. We also demonstrate the dissociation between HO-1 mRNA and protein level in the hippocampal pyramidal neurons, which is known to be vulnerable against excitotoxicity, and discuss the correlation between this dissociation and the vulnerability of hippocampal pyramidal neurons.