RNA Analysis of Circulating Leukocytes in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: One of the key symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the impairment of short-term memory. Hippocampal neurogenesis is essential for short-term memory and is known to decrease in patients with AD. Impaired short-term memory and impaired neurogenesis are observed in aged mice alongside changes in RNA expression of gap junction and metabolism-related genes in circulating leukocytes. Moreover, after penetrating the blood-brain barrier via the SDF1/CXCR4 axis, circulating leukocytes directly interact with hippocampal neuronal stem cells via gap junctions. Objective: Evaluation of RNA expression profiles in circulating leukocytes in patients with AD. Methods: Patients with AD (MMSE≧23, n = 10) and age-matched controls (MMSE≧28, n = 10) were enrolled into this study. RNA expression profiles of gap junction and metabolism-related genes in circulating leukocytes were compared between the groups (jRCT: 1050210166). Results: The ratios of gap junction and metabolism-related genes were significantly different between patients with AD and age-matched controls. However, due to large inter-individual variations, there were no statistically significant differences in the level of single RNA expression between these groups. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a potential connection between the presence of circulating leukocytes and the process of hippocampal neurogenesis in individuals with AD. Analyzing RNA in circulating leukocytes holds promise as a means to offer novel insights into the pathology of AD, distinct from conventional markers.

Case Report: Nutritional Examination of Weight Loss Treatment Using Kampo.

Loss of appetite is a common symptom in patients with dementia, and if weight loss or difficulty eating occurs without subjective symptoms, the patient can easily become malnourished. There is also a close relationship between dementia and physical frailty, such as weight loss and muscle weakness, and thus early intervention to address frailty in patients with dementia is important. In this study, 3 patients with dementia who complained of loss of appetite and weight loss showed increases in body weight and muscle mass after taking Ninjin'yoeito. Ninjin'yoeito was found to be a potentially effective treatment option for physical frailty in patients with dementia.