Neuralgia in the occipital region associated with ipsilateral trigeminal herpes zoster: Three case reports.

BACKGROUND: Nerve fibers related to pain and temperature sensation in the trigeminal nerve territory converge with the upper cervical spinal nerves from the level of the lower medulla oblongata to the upper cervical cord. This structure is called the trigemino-cervical complex and may cause referred pain in the territory of the trigeminal or upper cervical spinal nerves. CASE SERIES: Here, we report three cases of paroxysmal neuralgia in the occipital region with mild conjunctivitis or a few reddish spots in the ipsilateral trigeminal nerve territory. The patients exhibited gradual progression of these reddish spots evolving into vesicles over the course of several days, despite the absence of a rash in the occipital region. The patients were diagnosed with trigeminal herpes zoster and subsequently received antiherpetic therapy. Remarkably, the neuralgia in the occipital region showed gradual amelioration or complete resolution before the treatment, with no sequelae reported in the occipital region. DISCUSSION: The trigemino-cervical complex has the potential to cause neuralgia in the occipital region, as referred pain, caused by trigeminal herpes zoster. These cases suggest that, even if conjunctivitis or reddish spots appear to be trivial in the trigeminal nerve territory, trigeminal herpes zoster should be considered when neuralgia occurs in the ipsilateral occipital region.

Neuro-Behçet Disease, Neuro-Sweet Disease, and Spectrum Disorders.

Behçet disease and its related disorder, Sweet disease, are multifactorial disorders whose susceptibility loci have been identified in the genes of various immunological factors aside from human leukocyte antigens. The neurological involvement of these diseases, including encephalitis, myelitis, and meningitis, referred to as neuro-Behçet disease (NBD) and neuro-Sweet disease (NSD) respectively, is sometimes difficult to diagnose, especially when the characteristic mucocutaneous symptoms do not precede neurological symptoms or when characteristics of both diseases are present in a single patient. NBD and NSD constitute a spectrum of diseases that are differentiated according to the combination of risk factors, including the genetic background. Encephalitis, myelitis, and meningitis similar to NBD or NSD can be diagnosed as spectrum disorders, even if the characteristic mucocutaneous symptoms fail to be detected. Understanding these conditions as a disease spectrum may help elucidate the disease pathogenesis and assist in the development of therapeutic agents.

[The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological complications in Behçet disease and its related disorder Sweet disease].

Behçet disease, and its related disorder Sweet disease, are multisystem inflammatory conditions characterized by muco-cutaneous symptoms. When neuropsychiatric symptoms appear, the two conditions are referred to as neuro-Behçet disease and neuro-Sweet disease. While diagnosing these conditions according to their diagnostic criteria, muco-cutaneous symptoms must be observed; however, neuropsychiatric symptoms may precede muco-cutaneous symptoms. In these conditions the dysregulation of cytokines, following the onset of oral muco-cutaneous bacterial infection, may induce an abnormal chemotaxis of neutrophils causing ectopic encephalitis and meningitis. Thus, an initial treatment targeting neutrophils should be considered based on the diagnosis of neuro-neutrophilic disease when symptoms indicating neutrophil hyperactivity are observed, even without muco-cutaneous symptoms. In addition to human leukocyte antigen-B51 and -A26, genome-wide association analyses have identified new susceptibility loci on the genes of various immunological factors in Behçet disease. These findings may help elucidate disease pathogenesis and assist the development of diagnostic modalities and therapeutic agents for neuro-neutrophilic disease.

[A case of recurrent myelitis associated with anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody that developed only as localized short spinal cord lesions].

A 65-year-old man initially developed numbness and hypesthesia in the right shoulder and brachial regions that disappeared within several months. MRI revealed a small lesion extending to a vertebral segment in the right dorsal region of the cervical spinal cord at the vertebral height of C2/3. About 15 months later, the intermittent lancinating pain identical to the right trigeminal and occipital neuralgia with pain and hypesthesia distributed in the right C2-C4 dermatome regions appeared. MRI revealed a new oval lesion with gadolinium enhancement in the right dorsal region of the cervical spinal cord at the vertebral height of C1, which was thought to involve the posterior column and lower part of the spinal tract nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. There was no optic nerve, brain, or other spinal cord lesions that suggested demyelination on MRI. A titer of serum anti-aquaporin-4 antibody was negative, but anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody was found to be positive. The symptoms were relieved by corticosteroid treatment. Our report presents a rare case of anti-MOG antibody-positive recurrent myelitis that developed only as localized short upper cervical spinal cord lesions, not meeting the diagnostic criteria for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

An investigation into the effects and prognostic factors of cognitive decline following subthalamic nucleus stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease.

We retrospectively investigated the effects of subthalamic nucleus stimulation (STN-DBS) on new postoperative onset of cognitive decline and prognostic factors for advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). We studied 39 PD patients who had received bilateral STN-DBS. Clinical symptoms, cognitive function, psychiatric function, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) were assessed before and six months after surgery. Based on the results of neuropsychological examinations six months after the surgery, the subjects were divided into those with and those without cognitive decline. We compared pre- and post-operative assessments between the two groups. Prognostic factors were investigated using multiple logistic regression analyses. Seven patients had cognitive decline six months after the operation (17.9%); they were significantly older than those without cognitive decline. Preoperative neuropsychological examinations revealed impairments in language and executive function. No differences were found in clinical symptoms. Patients with cognitive decline had significantly worse apathy scale scores. The HRQOL revealed significant declines in the Mental Component Summary (MCS), vitality, and mental health (MH) domains. Postoperative comparisons revealed novel significant differences in activities of daily living in the "on" and "off" states and in daytime drowsiness. Preoperative differences seen in the MCS and vitality indices were no longer present. Word fluency, and apathy scale and MH scores were independent preoperative prognostic factors for cognitive decline. New postoperative onset of cognitive decline due to STN-DBS affected activities of daily living and psychiatric function. Preoperative non-motor symptoms may be prognostic factors for new onset of cognitive decline.

An autopsy case of superficial siderosis of the central nervous system accompanied by anterior sacral polycystic meningocele in neurofibromatosis type 1.

A 74-year-old female patient, who was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) at the age of 40, was admitted with complaints of flickering vision and gait disturbance for the last 2 years. On admission, neurological examination revealed mild bilateral hearing loss and ataxia in the limb and trunk. Laboratory tests revealed anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positivity and elevated HCV RNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed a slightly yellowish appearance with elevated total protein levels. Gradient echo T2*-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a rim of hypointense lesions surrounding the surface of the cerebellum, brainstem, frontal and temporal lobes, and thalamus, which was considered as hemosiderin depositions. From these MRI findings, she was diagnosed as having superficial siderosis of the central nervous system. Cerebral angiography revealed an aneurysm-like dilatation at the bifurcation of the right internal carotid-posterior communicating artery. (99m)Tc-ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography revealed hypoperfusion in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes. Pelvic plain X-ray, pelvic computed tomography, and lumbosacral MRI revealed a sacral defect and an anterior sacral polycystic meningocele communicating with the spinal subarachnoid space. The patient's symptoms gradually worsened, and she died of septic shock because of pyelonephritis at the age of 77. An autopsy was performed; on pathological examination, we did not observe any findings associated with rupture of the aneurysm-like dilatation in the bifurcation of the right internal carotid-posterior communicating artery and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Because duropathies-a new neurological disease concept-have been implicated as a cause of bleeding in the superficial siderosis, the anterior sacral polycystic meningocele, a type of duropathies, was presumed to be the most probable bleeding source of the superficial siderosis in this patient. Bleeding from the meningocele might result from the vulnerability of vessel walls in NF1.

[Neuro-neutrophilic Disease and Dementia].

Neuro-neutrophilic diseases are multisystem inflammatory disorders that include neuro-Behçet and neuro-Sweet disease. These disorders ectopically damage the nervous system due to the abnormal chemotaxis of neutrophils. The neutrophils' chemotaxis is induced by oral muco-cutaneous bacterial infections and the dysregulation of cytokines, including interleukins. The frequencies of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B51 in neuro-Behçet disease and HLA-B54 as well as Cw1 in neuro-Sweet disease significantly higher than the levels present in Japanese normal controls. Notably, their frequencies are also higher in patients exhibiting neurological complications than in patients without neurological complications. These HLA types are considered risk factors that are directly related to the etiology of these diseases. Prednisolone and colchicine, which suppress neutrophil activation, are used to treat the acute phase of both diseases. Alternatively, dapsone is prescribed to prednisolone-dependent recurrent cases of neuro-Sweet disease. Dementia is a neurological symptom of these disorders, especially in the chronic progressive subtype of neuro-Behçet disease. Other immunosuppressant drugs, including methotrexate and infliximab, are administered to patients with the chronic progressive type of neuro-Behçet disease. Neuro-neutrophilic diseases are a form of dementia considered treatable.

An autopsy case of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with the appearance of fused in sarcoma inclusions (basophilic inclusion body disease) clinically presenting corticobasal syndrome.

We describe an autopsy case of basophilic inclusion body disease (BIBD), a subtype of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with the appearance of fused in sarcoma (FUS) inclusions (FTLD-FUS), clinically presenting corticobasal syndrome (CBS). A 54-year-old man initially developed worsening of stuttering and right hand clumsiness. Neurological examinations revealed rigidity in the right upper and lower extremities, buccofacial apraxia, and right-side dominant limb-kinetic and ideomotor apraxia. Neuroimaging showed asymmetric left-dominant brain atrophy and a cerebral blood flow reduction in the ipsilateral frontal region. At 56 years, his apraxia had advanced, and ideational apraxia was observed. Furthermore, the asymmetry in the limb-kinetic and ideomotor apraxia had disappeared, and both conditions had become bilateral. He had a new onset of aphasia. His symptoms progressed and he died 9 years after the initial symptoms. The brain weighed 955 g. Diffuse brain atrophy was most obvious in the bilateral frontotemporal regions. The atrophy of the left superior frontal and precentral gyri and bilateral basal ganglia was remarkable. Histologically, there was a marked loss of neurons with gliosis in the affected areas, where basophilic neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions were observed. The inclusions were immunoreactive for FUS, p62, and TATA-binding protein-associated factor 15 (TAF15), but not for phosphorylated tau, transactive response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43), neurofilament protein, or Ewing sarcoma (EWS). From these pathological findings, this case was diagnosed as having BIBD as an FTLD-FUS variant. Spinal cord lower motor neurons were spared in number, similar to primary lateral sclerosis. Mutations in FUS were undetectable. Common background pathologies for CBS include corticobasal degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, PSP, FTLD with phosphorylated TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP), Pick's disease, Lewy body disease and CJD. However, FTLD-FUS (BIBD) has been rarely reported. Our case suggested further pathological heterogeneity in CBS than had previously been reported. It is necessary to consider FTLD-FUS (BIBD) as a background pathology for CBS in the future.

[Serial magnetic resonance images of a Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease patient with V180I mutation obtained over 10 years].

We acquired serial magnetic resonance images (MRIs) of a Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) patient carrying the V180I mutation; his symptoms slowly progressed over a period of 10 years. A 57-year-old man presented with cognitive impairment and was admitted to our hospital. Diffusion-weighted images (DWIs) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images showed high-intensity areas (HIAs) in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia, but not in the thalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum, until 1.5 years after symptom onset. The HIAs in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia disappeared 4 years after symptom onset, while the atrophy in these regions progressed rapidly during this period. However, the thalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum appeared to be preserved over 10 years after symptom onset. The mechanism for the regional vulnerability in brains of CJD patients remains unclear. Further studies in additional cases are required to clarify whether differences in the mutation of the prion protein gene might be associated with the vulnerability.

[Neuro-Behçet disease and neuro-Sweet disease].

Behçet disease and Sweet disease are multisystem inflammatory disorders involving mucocutaneous tissue as well as nervous system (neuro-Behçet disease and neuro-Sweet disease). Pathological findings in the encephalitis are chiefly perivascular cuffing of small venules by neutrophils, T lymphocytes, and macrphages. Destruction of the brain substrates is mild in neuro-Sweet disease compared with that of neuro-Behçet disease, especially that of chronic progressive subtype. HLA (human leukocyte antigen)-B51 is frequently positive in neuro-Behçet disease, and the frequencies of HLA-B54 and Cw1 in neuro-Sweet disease are significantly higher than not only those in Japanese normal controls but also those in patients with these diseases without nervous complications. These HLA types are considered as risk factors which are directly associated with the etiology of these diseases. Prednisolone is usually used for the treatment of acute phase of both diseases. Methotrexate and infliximab are administered to patients with the chronic progressive type of neuro-Behçet disease. Colchicine and dapsone are prescribed to prednisolone-dependent recurrent cases of neuro-Sweet disease.

Cholinergic deficit and response to donepezil therapy in Parkinson's disease with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Although donepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, has been proved to be effective in ameliorating cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD), the responsiveness of patients to donepezil therapy varies. [5-(11)C-methoxy]donepezil, the radiolabeled form of donepezil, is a ligand for positron emission tomography (PET), which can be exploited for the quantitative analysis of donepezil binding to acetylcholinesterase and for cholinergic imaging. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the deficits of the cholinergic system in the brain in PDD and its association with response to donepezil therapy. METHODS: Twelve patients with PDD and 13 normal control subjects underwent [5-(11)C-methoxy]donepezil-PET imaging. For patients with PDD, daily administration of donepezil was started after [5-(11)C-methoxy]donepezil-PET imaging and continued for 3 months. RESULTS: In the PDD group, the mean total distribution volume of the cerebral cortices was 22.7% lower than that of the normal control group. The mean total distribution volume of the patients with PDD was significantly correlated with improvement of visuoperceptual function after 3 months of donepezil therapy. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that donepezil therapy is more effective in patients with less decrease in acetylcholinesterase, a binding site of donepezil, at least in the specific cognitive domain.

[Degeneration of ponto-cerebellar tract visualized by diffusion tensor imaging in multiple system atrophy].

We visualized ponto-cerebellar tracts projecting through the middle cerebellar peduncle of 3 patients with early stage multiple system atrophy (MSA), 3 patients with advanced stage MSA, and a healthy control using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) on 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We also examined whether the location of the degenerated ponto-cerebellar tracts coincided with that of the transverse part of the so-called "hot cross bun sign (HCB)" on MRI. DTI successfully demonstrated the degeneration of ponto-cerebellar tracts in MSA patients. The tracts in advanced stage MSA patients appeared more sparse than those in patients of the early stage. High apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and low fractional anisotropy (FA) values also indicated the degeneration of the ponto-cerebellar tracts in MSA patients. The tracts in the ventral pons were more sparse than those in the central pons. The location of the degenerated ponto-cerebellar tracts of the central pons appeared to coincide with that of the transverse part of HCB. Visualization of degenerated ponto-cerebellar tracts that cross the ventral pons using DTI might be useful for the early diagnosis.

[A recalcitrant case of encephalitis with voltage-gated potassium channel antibodies].

We report the case of a 65-year-old man who had encephalitis with a high titer of voltage-gated potassium channel antibodies (VGKC-Abs). His initial symptoms included memory disturbance, confusion, and seizures. Laboratory tests revealed a low plasma sodium concentration and a strong positive result for VGKC-Abs. A diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a high intensity lesion within the right basal ganglia, which later showed normal intensity. The patient's initial symptoms resolved without any treatment. During the first relapse, the patient experienced consciousness disturbance and an increased number of seizures than that observed initially. A diffusion weighted MRI scan showed a high intensity lesion within the right hippocampus, and a fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) weighted MRI scan showed high intensity lesions within the right hippocampus, right thalamus, and pons. The patient's symptoms and the MRI abnormalities resolved with prednisolone therapy. During the second relapse, he again experienced consciousness disturbance and an increased number of seizures than that observed initially. Diffusion-and FLAIR weighted MRI scans showed high intensity lesions within the right thalamus. However, the array of immunosuppressive treatments used during the first relapse was not as effective during the second relapse. The serum VGKC-Ab titers before steroid therapy during the first relapse and after immunosuppressive treatment during the second relapse were 1,252 pmol/L and 22.4 pmol/L, respectively. Brain MRI revealed signal changes in the basal ganglia at the onset of disease, in the limbic area during the first relapse, and in the thalamus during the second relapse. VGKC-Ab-associated encephalopathy is usually considered a benign autoimmune disorder; however, in our case, the encephalitis gradually became intractable to various immunosuppressive treatments, and unique MRI abnormalities were observed.

Amantadine for dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Dyskinesias are some of the major motor complications that impair quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of amantadine in Parkinson's disease patients suffering from dyskinesias. METHODS: In this multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial, 36 patients with Parkinson's disease and dyskinesias were randomized, and 62 interventions, which included amantadine (300 mg/day) or placebo treatment for 27 days, were analyzed. At 15 days after washout, the treatments were crossed over. The primary outcome measure was the changes in the Rush Dyskinesia Rating Scale (RDRS) during each treatment period. The secondary outcome measures were changes in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part IVa (UPDRS-IVa, dyskinesias), part IVb (motor fluctuations), and part III (motor function). RESULTS: RDRS improved in 64% and 16% of patients treated with amantadine or placebo, respectively, with significant differences between treatments. The adjusted odds-ratio for improvement by amantadine was 6.7 (95% confidence interval, 1.4 to 31.5). UPDRS-IVa was improved to a significantly greater degree in amantadine-treated patients [mean (SD) of 1.83 (1.56)] compared with placebo-treated patients [0.03 (1.51)]. However, there were no significant effects on UPDRS-IVb or III scores. CONCLUSIONS: Results from the present study demonstrated that amantadine exhibited efficacious effects against dyskinesias in 60-70% of patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trial Registry UMIN000000780.

Nationwide survey of acute juvenile female non-herpetic encephalitis in Japan: relationship to anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the incidence and clinical features of acute juvenile female non-herpetic encephalitis (AJFNHE) in Japan. METHODS: A nationwide questionnaire on patients with severe non-herpetic encephalitis of unknown etiology with a prolonged clinical course or death was sent to the departments of Internal Medicine, Neurology, Pediatrics, and Emergency and Critical Care at all hospitals with 200 beds or more in Japan. RESULTS: The recovery rate was 25% (1,279 out of 5,030 departments) and 90 patients were enrolled in this study. The annual incidence was 0.33/10(6) population. 85% of patients were female. The means and standard deviations of age at onset and hospital stay were 26+/-10 years and 180+/-228 days. As first symptoms, fever and psychosis were presented in 90%. Among the neurological symptoms, disturbance of consciousness was presented in 92%, convulsions in 65%, and involuntary movements in 55%. Respiratory failure during hospitalization was observed in 71% and required care with mechanical ventilation. The detection rate of anti-GluR epsilon2 and/or delta1 antibodies was 67% of patients. Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR1/NR2 antibody was detected in all four examined patients with anti-GluR epsilon2 antibody, and also detected in both of the two examined patients without anti-GluR epsilon2 antibody. As for outcome, 46% returned to work and 37% returned home, but 7% died. Associated tumors were demonstrated in 39%. All reported patients had ovarian tumors, among which teratoma was the most frequent. CONCLUSION: A nationwide survey provided data for the annual incidence and clinical features of AJFNHE in Japan.

[Encephalomyelopathy due to vitamin B12 deficiency with seizures as a predominant symptom].

We report a 39-year-old man who developed seizures as a predominant symptom of vitamin B12 deficiency. About a month before admission to our hospital, he experienced flickering vision, and had generalized convulsive seizures about ten times a day. On admission, he presented with visual disturbance and paralysis of the left leg. Brain MRI revealed a tumor-like lesion in the medial side of the right frontal lobe. Follow-up MRI about 2 weeks after admission demonstrated multiple lesions in the periaqueduct, the medial side of the bilateral thalami, the bilateral frontal lobes, and the bilateral occipital lobes. After administration of antiepileptic drugs, his condition was well-controlled. Paralysis of his left leg was gradually improved, and abnormal findings on brain MRI disappeared except that in the right frontal lobe cortex, which was considered to be cortical laminar necrosis. 123I-IMP-SPECT showed hyperperfusion in the bilateral occipital lobes. About 3 months after the first admission, he was readmitted because of ataxic gait and numbness in the extremities. Laboratory tests revealed macrocytic anemia and vitamin B12 deficiency. Spinal MRI revealed typical findings of subacute combined degeneration. Brain MRI showed multiple new lesions in the bilateral dorsal sides of the medulla, cerebellar hemispheres, interthalamic adhesion, and left frontal cortex. After the initiation of vitamin B12 supplementary therapy, the symptoms were improved, and the abnormal MRI findings disappeared. Serum anti-gastric-parietal-cell antibody and anti-intrinsic-factor antibody were positive. 123I-IMP-SPECT demonstrated hypoperfusion in the bilateral occipital lobes, possibly reflecting visual disturbance. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report indicating that vitamin B12 deficiency may insult various brain regions as well as the spinal cord with reversibility. Vitamin B12 deficiency should be also considered in the differential diagnosis of the causes of epilepsy.

Neuro-Sweet disease: clinical manifestations and criteria for diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Sweet disease, also known as acute febrile neutrophilic dermatosis, is a multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by painful erythematous plaques and aseptic neutrophilic infiltration of various organs. Skin biopsies typically demonstrate dermal infiltration with neutrophils in the absence of vasculitis. Sweet disease responds to systemic corticosteroids. The CNS can also be involved. METHODS: The authors performed a survey on neuro-Sweet disease (NSD) in Japan and obtained detailed information about 16 cases. They analyzed 42 cases, including 26 cases documented in the literature, and assessed clinical and laboratory criteria for the diagnosis. RESULTS: Thirteen cases also fulfilled the criteria for the diagnosis of Behcet disease. The clinical features of 27 cases, which the authors classified as probable NSD, are as follows: 1) both sexes are almost evenly affected; 2) people of ages 30 to 70 years are affected; 3) encephalitis and meningitis are common neurologic manifestations; 4) any region of the CNS can be involved, resulting in a variety of neurologic symptoms; 5) there is a strong human leukocyte antigen-Cw1 association; 6) systemic corticosteroids are highly effective for most of the neurologic manifestations, although recurrences are not infrequent. CONCLUSIONS: Neuro-Sweet disease is a distinct entity that may account for some cases of idiopathic encephalomeningitis.