Glucose metabolism and smaller hippocampal volume in elderly people with normal cognitive function.

We investigated associations of glycemic measures, and insulin resistance and secretion measures with hippocampal and subfield volumes. In this cross-sectional study, 7400 community-dwelling participants underwent brain MRI and health checkups between 2016 and 2018. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), glycated albumin (GA), homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and HOMA of percent ß-cell function (HOMA-ß) were evaluated. The associations of each measure with a smaller volume of the hippocampus and twelve hippocampal subfields were investigated. As a result, higher HbA1c or GA and lower HOMA-ß levels were significantly associated with smaller volumes in multiple hippocampal subfields. Furthermore, even when we analyzed non-diabetic individuals, substantial associations remained between higher GA or lower HOMA-ß levels and smaller volumes of the whole hippocampus or the fimbria. Our findings indicate that postprandial glucose fluctuations, postprandial hyperglycemia, and low insulin secretion have a specific effect on the development of smaller hippocampal volume, suggesting that primary prevention of diabetes and/or sufficient glucose control are important for the prevention of dementia.

Deterioration after Liver Transplantation and Transthyretin Stabilizer Administration in a Patient with ATTRv Amyloidosis with a Leu58Arg (p.Leu78Arg) TTR Variant.

We herein report a 44-year-old Japanese man with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv amyloidosis) harboring the variant Leu58Arg (p.Leu78Arg) in TTR in whom we conducted an observational study with liver transplantation (LT) and transthyretin (TTR) stabilizers (tafamidis and diflunisal) for 9 years. This patient showed gradual deterioration of sensory, motor, and autonomic neuropathy symptoms after LT. Furthermore, cardiac amyloidosis gradually developed. Although the present case showed deterioration of the symptoms after disease-modifying treatments, LT might be suitable in patients with the same variant if they are young and in good condition due to a long survival after LT.

Efficacy of diflunisal on autonomic dysfunction of late-onset familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR Val30Met) in a Japanese endemic area.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of diflunisal in late-onset familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) in a Japanese endemic area. METHODS: Consecutive six FAP patients (mean age: 65.8 ± 7.3 years) with a transthyretin (TTR) Val30Met mutation from an endemic area of late-onset FAP were prospectively recruited to an open label study with oral diflunisal (250 mg twice a day). We evaluated clinical symptoms, Kumamoto FAP score, modified body mass index (mBMI), Medical Research Council sum score, nerve conduction studies (NCS), electrocardiogram (ECG), ECG Holter monitor test, echocardiography, and (123)iodine-metaiodobenzylguanidine ((123)I-MIBG) myocardial scintigraphy. RESULTS: One patient ceased to take diflunisal because of hematuria which was reversible. The other five patients were treated with diflunisal for 3-5 (4.4 ± 0.9 years) years. Autonomic symptoms (orthostatic hypotension and gastrointestinal symptoms) disappeared after treatment in two of the four patients with the symptoms. Delayed heart to mediastinum ratio on (123)I-MIBG imaging, a marker of cardiac postganglionic sympathetic nerve function, increased during the three-year treatment. mBMI was maintained through observation period. While, motor and sensory symptoms, Kumamoto FAP scores, and data on NCS gradually deteriorated. CONCLUSION: Diflunisal might be effective especially for autonomic dysfunction in late-onset FAP with a TTR Val30Met mutation.