Inherited and Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Fronto-Temporal Lobar Degenerations arising from Pathological Condensates of Phase Separating Proteins.

Recent work on the biophysics of proteins with low complexity, intrinsically disordered domains that have the capacity to form biological condensates has profoundly altered the concepts about the pathogenesis of inherited and sporadic neurodegenerative disorders associated with pathological accumulation of these proteins. In the present review, we use the FUS, TDP-43 and A11 proteins as examples to illustrate how missense mutations and aberrant post-translational modifications of these proteins cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and fronto-temporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).

Neuroprotective and Therapeutic Effects of Tocovid and Twendee-X on Aß Oligomer-Induced Damage in the SH-SY5Y Cell Line.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia among the elderly. The accumulation of amyloid beta (Aß) and its downstream pathological events such as oxidative stress play central roles in AD. Recent studies revealed that Aß oligomer (AßO)-induced strong neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells via the induction of oxidative stress. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, we investigated the effect of two antioxidants, Tocovid and Twendee-X, on AßO-induced SH-SY5Y cell damage. METHODS: AßOs (2.5 µM) were applied to induce cellular damage in the SH-SY5Y cell line. Cell viability following AßO toxicity, Tau protein phosphorylation, cell morphology, and intracellular reactive oxygen species were assayed with or without different concentrations of Tocovid or Twendee-X. RESULTS: Tocovid (60 µg/mL) and Twendee-X (150 µg/mL) significantly recovered cell viability from AßO toxicity (**p < 0.01, vs. control), attenuated Tau protein phosphorylation (**p < 0.01, vs. AßOs), improved cell morphology (**p < 0.01, vs. AßOs), and suppressed intracellular ROS (**p < 0.01, vs. AßOs) in SH-SY5Y cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the neuroprotective and therapeutic potential of Tocovid and Twendee-X for AD treatment.

4-Hydroxyl-2-Nonenal Localized Expression Pattern in Retrieved Clots is Associated with Large Artery Atherosclerosis in Stroke Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between stroke etiology and clot pathology remains controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed histological analysis of clots retrieved from 52 acute ischemic stroke patients using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry (CD42b and oxidative/hypoxic stress markers). The correlations between clot composition and the stroke etiological group (i.e., cardioembolic, cryptogenic, or large artery atherosclerosis) were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 52 clots analyzed, there were no significant differences in histopathologic composition (e.g., white blood cells, red blood cells, fibrin, and platelets) between the 3 etiological groups (P = .92). By contrast, all large artery atherosclerosis clots showed a localized pattern with the oxidative stress marker 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal (P < .01). From all 52 clots, 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal expression patterns were localized in 28.8% of clots, diffuse in 57.7% of clots, and no signal in 13.5% of clots. CONCLUSIONS: A localized pattern of 4-hydroxyl-2-nonenal staining may be a novel and effective marker for large artery atherosclerosis (sensitivity 100%, specificity 82%).

Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Transplantation Drives Molecular Switch from Autophagy to the Ubiquitin-Proteasome System in Ischemic Stroke Mice.

BACKGROUND: Bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for cerebral ischemia, as it elicits multiple neuroprotective effects. However, it remains unclear how BMSC transplantation modulates the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy under cerebral ischemia. METHODS: In the present study, an intermediate level of cerebral ischemia (30 minutes) was chosen to examine the effect of BMSC transplantation on the molecular switch regulating UPS and autophagy. BMSC or vehicle was stereotactically injected into the penumbra 15 minutes after sham operation or transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). RESULTS: Thirty minutes of tMCAO artery occlusion significantly increased TUNEL-, ubiquitin-, and p62-positive cells (which peaked at 72 hours, 2 hours, and 2 hours after reperfusion, respectively) and ratios of both BAG3/BAG1 and LC3-II/LC3-I at 24 hours after reperfusion. However, intracerebral injection of BMSCs significantly reduced infarct volume and numbers of TUNEL- and p62-positive cells, and improved BAG3/BAG1 and LC3-II/LC3-I ratios. In addition, observed increases in ubiquitin-positive cells 2 hours after reperfusion were slightly suppressed by BMSC transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest a protective role of BMSC transplantation, which drove the molecular switch from autophagy to UPS in a murine model of ischemic stroke.

Twendee X Ameliorates Phosphorylated Tau, α-Synuclein and Neurovascular Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease Transgenic Mice With Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion.

BACKGROUND: The pathological impact of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) on Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of CCH on an AD mouse model in phosphorylated tau and α-synuclein pathology, neurovascular unit, cerebrovascular remodeling, and neurovascular trophic coupling. Moreover, examined protective effect of a new antioxidant Twendee X (TwX). METHODS: APP23 mice were implanted to bilateral common carotid arteries stenosis with ameroid constrictors to gradually decrease the cerebral blood flow. The effects of the administration of TwX were evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis and Immunofluorescent histochemistry. RESULTS: The present study revealed that the expressions of phospho-tau and phospho-α-synuclein were significantly increased in the APP23 + CCH mice group as compared with wild type and APP23 mice groups (*P < .05 and ⁎⁎P < .01 versus WT; #P < .05 and ##P < .01 versus APP23). In addition, CCH significantly exacerbated MMP-9 activation relating to blood-brain barrier destruction (⁎⁎P < .01 versus WT; #P < .05, and ##P < .01 versus APP23), enhanced neurovascular remodeling, and impaired a neurovascular trophic coupling in the vascular endothelial BDNF expression of the APP23 + CCH group. TwX treatment (20 mg/kg/day, from 4.5 to 12 months) significantly reduced tau and α-synuclein pathologies, ameliorated neurovascular dysfunction compared with APP23 + CCH group. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that administration of a new antioxidative mixture TwX substantially reduced the above neuropathologic abnormalities, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit of TwX for AD with CCH.

Clinical and Pathological Benefit of Twendee X in Alzheimer's Disease Transgenic Mice with Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Multiple pathogeneses are involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD), such as amyloid-ß accumulation, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. The pathological impact of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion on Alzheimer's disease is still poorly understood. METHODS: APP23 mice were implanted to bilateral common carotid arteries stenosis with ameroid constrictors for slowly progressive chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH). The effects of the administration of Twendee X (TwX) were evaluated by behavioral analysis, immunohistochemical analysis, and immunofluorescent histochemistry. RESULTS: In the present study, chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, which is commonly found in aged Alzheimer's disease, significantly exacerbated motor dysfunction of APP23 mice from 5 months and cognitive deficit from 8 months of age, as well as neuronal loss, extracellular amyloid-ß plaque and intracellular oligomer formations, and amyloid angiopathy at 12 months. Severe upregulations of oxidative markers and inflammatory markers were found in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and thalamus at 12 months. Twendee X treatment (20 mg/kg/d, from 4.5 to 12 months) substantially rescued the cognitive deficit and reduced the above amyloid-ß pathology and neuronal loss, alleviated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggested a potential therapeutic benefit of Twendee X for Alzheimer's disease with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Protective effect of a novel sigma-1 receptor agonist is associated with reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress in stroke male mice.

Sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R) is expressed at endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes, where it regulates a variety of specific physiological functions. However, the profile and exact roles of ER stress-related molecules after Sig-1R agonist treatment in an in vivo stroke model are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a novel Sig-1R agonist, aniline derivative compound (Comp-AD), on the ER stress response following ischemic stroke. Male C57BL/6J mice received transient middle cerebral artery occlusion for 90 min, and were then treated with vehicle saline or Comp-AD at reperfusion. At 3 hr, 1 day, and 7 days after reperfusion, immunohis- tochemistry was performed for Sig-1R and ER stress-related proteins including phospho protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), phospho inositol requiring enzyme 1α (p- IRE1α), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). Neurobehavioral analysis showed improved functional recovery at 1 day and 7 days after reperfusion, and the infarct volume was significantly smaller at 7 days (p < .05), in the Comp-AD group compared with the vehicle group. Comp-AD treatment upregulated Sig-1R immunoreactivity at 3 hr and 1 day (p < .05), and reduced p-PERK and p-IRE1α expression at 1 day (p < .05, respectively), in the peri-ischemic region compared with the vehicle group. Treatment with the novel Sig-1R agonist Comp-AD was neuroprotective after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion, and was associated with upregulation of Sig-1R and a reduction of ER stress.

Neuroprotective effects of SMTP-44D in mice stroke model in relation to neurovascular unit and trophic coupling.

Stachybotrys microspora triprenyl phenol (SMTP)-44D has both anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities, but its efficacy has not been proved in relation to the pathological changes of neurovascular unit (NVU) and neurovascular trophic coupling (NVTC) in ischemic stroke. Here, the present study was designed to assess the efficacies of SMTP-44D, moreover, compared with the standard neuroprotective reagent edaravone in ischemic brains. ICR mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 60 min, SMTP-44D (10 mg/kg) or edaravone (3 mg/kg) was intravenously administrated through subclavian vein just after the reperfusion, and these mice were examined at 1, 3, and 7 d after reperfusion. Compared with the vehicle group, SMTP-44D treatment revealed obvious ameliorations in clinical scores and infarct volume, meanwhile, markedly suppressed the accumulations of 4-HNE, 8-OHdG, nitrotyrosine, RAGE, TNF-α, Iba-1, and cleaved caspase-3 after tMCAO. In addition, SMTP-44D significantly prevented the dissociation of NVU and improved the intensity of NAGO/BDNF and the number of BDNF/TrkB and BDNF/NeuN double positive cells. These effects of SMTP-44D in reducing oxidative and inflammatory stresses were similar to or stronger than those of edaravone. The present study demonstrated that SMTP-44D showed strong anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects, moreover, the drug also significantly improved the NVU damage and NVTC in the ischemic brain.

Antineuroinflammatory Effect of SMTP-7 in Ischemic Mice.

BACKGROUND: Stachybotrys microspora triprenyl phenol-7 (SMTP-7) has both potentials of thrombolytic and neuroprotective effects, but its detailed neuroprotective mechanisms in ischemic stroke are still unclear. Here, we assessed the neuroprotective effects of SMTP-7 for anti-inflammatory and antiapoptosis mechanisms after 60 minutes of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in mice. METHODS: After 60minutes of tMCAO, 0.9% NaCl, tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), SMTP-7 or tPA+SMTP-7 was intravenously administrated through subclavian vein just before the reperfusion, and these mice were examined at 24hours after reperfusion. We histologically assessed the antineuroinflammatory effect of SMTP-7 on the expressive changes of inflammatory markers in ischemic mouse brains. RESULTS: Compared with the vehicle and tPA groups, SMTP-7 treatment significantly improved clinical scores and decreased the infarct volume and the numbers of TNF-α, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), and cleaved caspase-3-positive cells in the brain of mice at 24hours after tMCAO but not p62-positive cells. However, tPA+SMTP-7 treatment did not show such effects. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggested that SMTP-7 provides a therapeutic benefit for ischemic stroke mice through anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects but not antiautophagic effect.

Therapeutic Effects of Pretreatment with Tocovid on Oxidative Stress in Postischemic Mice Brain.

BACKGROUND: Dietary supplement is an attempt to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke in high-risk population. A new mixed vitamin E-Tocovid that mainly contains tocotrienols other than tocopherol, attenuated the progression of white matter lesions by oral in humans. However, the effect of Tocovid on ischemic stroke has not been examined. In the present study, we assessed the therapeutic effects of Tocovid pretreatment on transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After pretreatment with Tocovid (200 mg/kg/d) or vehicle for 1 month, 60-minute tMCAO was performed, and these mice were examined at 1 day, 3 days, and 7 days after reperfusion. We histologically assessed the effects of Tocovid pretreatment on the expressive changes of oxidative stress markers, cleaved caspase-3, and LC3-II after tMCAO in mice. RESULTS: We observed that Tocovid pretreatment significantly improved the rotarod time, reduced infarct volume, decreased the number of 4-HNE, nitrotyrosine, and 8-OhdG positive cells, inhibited advanced glycation end products biomarkers RAGE, CMA, and CML expressions, and increased Nrf2 and MRP1 levels with GSSG/GSH ratio decrease. Furthermore, Tocovid pretreatment greatly decreased cleaved caspase-3 and LC3-II expressions after tMCAO. CONCLUSIONS: The present study obviously demonstrated that Tocovid pretreatment showed neuroprotective effects against oxidative stress and at least in part by antiapoptotic/autophagic cell death in ischemic mice brain.

Neuroprotective Effects of Tocovid Pretreatment in a Mouse Stroke Model.

BACKGROUND: Tocovid is a new combination of tocotrienols and tocopherol, both of which are neuroprotective agents for preventing cerebral infarction in mice. However, the effects of tocovid on anti-inflammation in ischemic model remain elusive. In the present study, we assessed the effects of Tocovid pretreatment on anti-inflammatory effects after transient middle cerebral occlusion (tMCAO) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the therapeutic and anti-inflammatory effects of tocovid pretreatment (200 mg/kg per day, for 1 month) on mice brain under 60 minutes of tMCAO. The expressive changes of inflammatory markers were observed after tMCAO in mice. RESULTS: Tocovid pretreatment greatly improved the mice neurobehaviors, reduced infarct volumes and decreased expressions of inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) and ionized calcium binding adapter molecule-1 (Iba-1), and improved the damage of neurovascular units including matrix metallopeptidase 9, IgG and collagen IV after tMCAO. CONCLUSIONS: Our present findings demonstrated that oral tocovid pretreatment showed obviously neuroprotective and at least in part by anti-inflammatory effects in ischemic mice brain.

Time-dependent change of in vivo optical imaging of oxidative stress in a mouse stroke model.

Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a pivotal role in cellular defense against oxidative stress damage after ischemic stroke. In the present study, we examined the time-dependent change of in vivo optical imaging of oxidative stress after stroke with Keap1-dependent oxidative stress detector (OKD) mice. OKD mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 45 min, and in vivo optical signals were detected during the pre-operative period, 12 h, 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after tMCAO. Ex vivo imaging was performed immediately after obtaining in vivo optical signals at 1 d after tMCAO. Immunohistochemical analyses and infarct volume were also examined after in vivo imaging at each period. The in vivo signals showed a peak at 1 d after tMCAO that was slightly correlated to infarct volume. The strong ex vivo signals, which were detected in the peri-ischemic area, corresponded to endogenous Nrf2 expression. Moreover, endogenous Nrf2 expression was detected mainly in neurons followed by oligodendrocytes and pericytes, but only slightly in astrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells. The present study successfully demonstrated the temporal change of in vivo imaging of oxidative stress after tMCAO, which is consistent with strong expression of endogenous Nrf2 in the peri-ischemic area with a similar time course. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Reduction of intracerebral hemorrhage by rivaroxaban after tPA thrombolysis is associated with downregulation of PAR-1 and PAR-2.

This study aimed to assess the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) after tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment in rivaroxaban compared with warfarin-pretreated male Wistar rat brain after ischemia in relation to activation profiles of protease-activated receptor-1, -2, -3, and -4 (PAR-1, -2, -3, and -4). After pretreatment with warfarin (0.2 mg/kg/day), low-dose rivaroxaban (60 mg/kg/day), high-dose rivaroxaban (120 mg/kg/day), or vehicle for 14 days, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced for 90 min, followed by reperfusion with tPA (10 mg/kg/10 ml). Infarct volume, hemorrhagic volume, immunoglobulin G leakage, and blood parameters were examined. Twenty-four hours after reperfusion, immunohistochemistry for PARs was performed in brain sections. ICH volume was increased in the warfarin-pretreated group compared with the rivaroxaban-treated group. PAR-1, -2, -3, and -4 were widely expressed in the normal brain, and their levels were increased in the ischemic brain, especially in the peri-ischemic lesion. Warfarin pretreatment enhanced the expression of PAR-1 and PAR-2 in the peri-ischemic lesion, whereas rivaroxaban pretreatment did not. The present study shows a lower risk of brain hemorrhage in rivaroxaban-pretreated compared with warfarin-pretreated rats following tPA administration to the ischemic brain. It is suggested that the relative downregulation of PAR-1 and PAR-2 by rivaroxaban compared with warfarin pretreatment might be partly involved in the mechanism of reduced hemorrhagic complications in patients receiving rivaroxaban in clinical trials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Pregnancy and delivery after myelomeningocele repair, ventriculoperitoneal shunt implantation, and augmentation cystoplasty.

INTRODUCTION: Management of pregnancy and delivery of a patient with a history of myelomeningocele requires a multidisciplinary team approach. CASE REPORT: We report a case of pregnancy and delivery by a patient who had a history of myelomeningocele surgical repair, ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, and bladder augmentation enterocystoplasty. Regarding types of delivery style, anesthesiologists recommended a Cesarean section under general anesthesia. However, urologists recommended a vaginal delivery because they were concerned that she would require a nephrostomy because of severe adhesion between her uterus and the neobladder if she had a Cesarean section. DISCUSSION: In a pregnant myelomeningocele patient with a VP shunt, neurosurgeons are expected to manage the VP shunt during pregnancy and delivery. The possible types of delivery style and the best options based on the neurological deficit should be discussed together with a medical team.

Neuroprotective Effects of a Novel Antioxidant Mixture Twendee X in Mouse Stroke Model.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and inflammation are important aggravating factors in acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of a novel antioxidant mixture Twendee X containing multiple antioxidative ingredients, such as coenzyme Q10, ascorbic acid, and cystine, were evaluated. After the pretreatment of a vehicle or Twendee X (20 mg/kg/d) for 14 days, mice were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion for 60 minutes and further treated with vehicle or Twendee X for 1 or 5 days. RESULTS: Twendee X administration reduced the infarct size, and reduced oxidative stress markers such as 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, and Nε-(carboxymethyl) lysine (one of advanced glycation end products), as well as inflammatory markers such as ionized calcium binding adapter molecule-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of Twendee X were shown on transient middle cerebral artery occlusion mice via antioxidative and anti-inflammatory pathways, providing a potential of Twendee X as one preventive and therapeutic treatment.

Different Characteristics of Anterior and Posterior Branch Atheromatous Diseases with or without Early Neurologic Deterioration.

BACKGROUND: Among several types of ischemic stroke (IS), branch atheromatous disease (BAD) is known to be the leading cause of disability. METHODS: A total of 1919 patients with acute IS were retrospectively analyzed, and BAD patients were classified into anterior or posterior BAD, depending on the responsible vascular territories. These patients were further subcategorized with or without early neurologic deterioration (END or no-END). RESULTS: Of all IS patients, 14.3% had BAD, and 202 patients (73.7%) were further classified as anterior BAD and 72 patients (26.3%) as posterior BAD. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and END was significantly higher in posterior than in anterior BAD (44.4% vs 26.4%, P < .01; 18.1% vs 5.4%, P < .01, respectively). Posterior BAD showed a higher proportion of female patients and an older age (69.2% vs 39.0%, P < .05; 79.1 ± 7.7 vs 70.5 ± 10.7, P < .01, respectively) in END than in no-END. The modified Rankin Scale was worse in posterior BAD at 90 days (2.5 ± 1.6, P < .01) than in anterior BAD (1.6 ± 1.4). CONCLUSIONS: Our present study shows that posterior BAD is a worse clinical outcome than anterior BAD, with more vascular risk factors. Older female patients with posterior BAD showed a higher risk of END, leading to a worse clinical outcome.

Effects of Pretreatment with Warfarin or Rivaroxaban on Neurovascular Unit Dissociation after Tissue Plasminogen Activator Thrombolysis in Ischemic Rat Brain.

BACKGROUND: Warfarin and rivaroxaban are highly effective in reducing stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, their effects on anticoagulation and neurovascular unit (NVU) change remain elusive. In this study, we assessed the risks and benefits of pre-treatment with warfarin or rivaroxaban after tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolysis in ischemic rat brain. METHODS: Pre-treatment with warfarin (.2 mg/kg/day), low dose rivaroxaban (60 mg/kg/day), high dose rivaroxaban (120 mg/kg/day) or vehicle was performed for 2 weeks, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) was induced for 90 min, then followed by reperfusion with tPA. At 24 hours (h) after reperfusion, we observed the changes of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue factor, caspase 3 and NVU dissociation. RESULTS: Prothrombin time (PT) was significantly prolonged in the warfarin and rivaroxaban pretreated groups. MMP-9 expression greatly increased in the warfarin group, and this was reduced in the rivaroxaban groups compared with the vehicle group. Tissue factor expression remarkably decreased in the warfarin and rivaroxaban groups. The number of caspase 3-positive cells had no difference among all the groups. Marked dissociations between astrocyte foot processes and the basal lamina or pericytes were observed in the warfarin pretreated group, but such dissociations were improved in the rivaroxaban groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our present study shows that pre-treatment with rivaroxaban was noninferior to warfarin in the anticoagulation, but a lower risk of NVU dysfunction and dissociation after tPA treatment in rivaroxaban. This finding could partly explain the mechanism of reducing hemorrhagic complications by rivaroxaban in clinical studies.

High Incidence of Dementia Conversion than Stroke Recurrence in Poststroke Patients of Late Elder Society.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the incidence of current poststroke dementia (PSD), the annual conversion ratio into PSD, and the risk factors for conversion. METHODS: In a 4.8-year follow-up period, 112 poststroke patients (ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage) were retrospectively investigated in cognitive examinations. They were categorized into 3 subgroups: converters into PSD, nonconverters who maintained their normal cognitive functions, and reverters who recovered to the normal mentality range. The clinical and demographic characteristics of these 3 subgroups were analyzed. RESULTS: Among all 112 poststroke patients (61.6% male, 73.6 ± 10.4 years old), 16.1% had PSD. During the follow-up period, a part of the normal baseline mentality group (83.9% of 112 original patients) newly developed PSD (subdivided into converters) with an annual conversion rate of 7.6%. The reversion rate from the baseline PSD group was 11.3%. There were significant differences in age (P < .05), baseline mini-mental state examination scores (P < .05), body mass index (P < .05), and periventricular and deep white matter hyperintensity grades (P < .05 and P = .01, respectively) between converters and nonconverters. The annual rate of stroke recurrence was only 2.2% in all stroke subtypes. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with stroke recurrence (2.2%), 7.6% of the annual PSD conversion rate was very high. Therefore, prevention of direct conversion into PSD without stroke recurrence may be another important aspect of poststroke clinics, especially in late elder society.

Neuroprotective effect of, a flavonoid, sudachitin in mice stroke model.

A flavonoid, sudachitin, has been reported to show some beneficial health effects, including as an anti-inflammatory in LPS-stimulated macrophages, as well as improving glucose and lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of sudachitin in the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) mouse model. After daily pre-treatment of vehicle or sudachitin (5 or 50 mg/kg) for 14 days, mice (n = 76) were subjected to a sham operation or tMCAO for 45 min, and on the following days, they were treated daily with vehicle or sudachitin. The administration of sudachitin significantly reduced (p < 0.05) cerebral infarct volume and attenuated apoptosis, 5 days after tMCAO. Neurological impairment improved, the expression of an oxidative stress marker, 4-HNE, decreased, and the Sirt1/PGC-1α pathway was activated 5 days after tMCAO in the sudachitin-treated group. This is the first report to demonstrate the neuroprotective effect of sudachitin in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury mice model, probably by activating the Sirt1/PGC-1α axis. Sudachitin may be a promising supplement or therapeutic agent for reducing injury caused by ischemic strokes.

A Novel Peptidome Technology for the Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease by Selected Reaction Monitoring.

Background: With the aging of populations worldwide, Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a concern due to its high prevalence and the continued lack of established treatments. Early diagnosis is required as a preventive intervention to modify the disease's progression. In our previous study, we performed peptidomic analysis of serum samples obtained from AD patients and age-matched healthy subjects to seek peptide biomarker candidates for AD by using BLOTCHIP-MS analysis, and identified four peptides as AD biomarker candidates. Objective: The objective was to validate the serum biomarker peptides to distinguish mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD in comparison to cognitively healthy controls using a new peptidome technology, the Dementia Risk Test. Methods: We enrolled 195 subjects with normal cognitive function (NC; n = 70), MCI (n = 55), and AD (n = 70), The concentrations of cognitive impairment marker peptides (Fibrinogen α chain (FAC), Fibrinogen ß chain (FBC), Plasma protease C1 inhibitor (PPC1I), α2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG)) were quantified by using a selected reaction monitoring assay based on liquid chromatography-MS/MS. Results: The present study confirmed that three peptides, FAC, FBC, and PPC1I, were significantly upregulated during the onset of AD. This three-peptide set was both highly sensitive in determining AD (sensitivity: 85.7%, specificity: 95.7%, AUC: 0.900) and useful in distinguishing MCI (sensitivity: 61.8%, specificity: 98.6%, AUC: 0.824) from NC. Conclusions: In this validation study, we confirmed the high diagnostic potential of the three peptides identified in our previous study as candidate serum biomarkers for AD. The Dementia Risk Test may be a powerful tool for detecting AD-related pathological changes.