Excitatory role of axon reflex in bradykinin-induced contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle

To elucidate the role of the axon reflex in the airways, we studied the effects of atropine (10(-6) M) and tetrodotoxin (10(-7) M) on the bradykinin-induced contraction of guinea pig tracheal smooth muscle, with or without pretreatment of the animals with capsaicin. The concentration-response curves to bradykinin (10(-9) to 10(-5) M) were measured in the presence of both indomethacin and propranolol. In the guinea pigs not given capsaicin pretreatment, baseline tension values did not differ before versus after the application of atropine or tetrodotoxin. Tetrodotoxin reduced the bradykinin-induced contraction significantly, but atropine did not change the contraction induced by bradykinin. These observations indicate that bradykinin-induced contraction is potentiated by a neurally mediated action, but that is not mediated by acetylcholine released from the efferent vagal nerve terminals. The contractile response to bradykinin was significantly reduced in the animals treated with capsaicin as compared with those administered vehicle only. Furthermore, in the animals treated with capsaicin, tetrodotoxin did not affect the response to bradykinin. These observations indicate that bradykinin-induced airway smooth muscle contraction is mediated in part by tachykinins released from C-fiber endings, presumably via an axon reflex.

Influence of oral metronidazole on the endocrine milieu and sebum excretion rate

As part of a study of the mechanism of metronidazole's efficacy in the treatment of acne and rosacea, its effects on the endocrine milieu and sebum excretion rate were assessed. Thirteen healthy males received oral metronidazole treatment (500 mg/day) for 4 weeks. Serum sex hormone levels were determined in all 13 subjects and the sebum excretion rate was determined in seven of them, before and after treatment. We measured serum levels of estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), total testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). There were no significant changes in E1, T, FT, DHT, or SHBG levels, but E2 and DHEA-S levels decreased significantly after treatment. In all seven subjects in whom the sebum excretion rates were determined, the amount of facial skin surface lipids decreased significantly after treatment. These results suggest that metronidazole exerts its clinical effects through suppressing the sebum excretion by a mechanism other than anti-androgenic action.

Kinesin family in murine central nervous system

In neuronal axons, various kinds of membranous components are transported along microtubules bidirectionally. However, only two kinds of mechanochemical motor proteins, kinesin and brain dynein, had been identified as transporters of membranous organelles in mammalian neurons. Recently, a series of genes that encode proteins closely related to kinesin heavy chain were identified in several organisms including Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Aspergillus niddulans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Caenorhabditus elegans, and Drosophila. Most of these members of the kinesin family are implicated in mechanisms of mitosis or meiosis. To address the mechanism of intracellular organelle transport at a molecular level, we have cloned and characterized five different members (KIF1-5), that encode the microtubule-associated motor domain homologous to kinesin heavy chain, in murine brain tissue. Homology analysis of amino acid sequence indicated that KIF1 and KIF5 are murine counterparts of unc104 and kinesin heavy chain, respectively, while KIF2, KIF3, and KIF4 are as yet unidentified new species. Complete amino acid sequence of KIF3 revealed that KIF3 consists of NH2-terminal motor domain, central alpha-helical rod domain, and COOH-terminal globular domain. Complete amino acid sequence of KIF2 revealed that KIF2 consists of NH2-terminal globular domain, central motor domain, and COOH-terminal alpha-helical rod domain. This is the first identification of the kinesin-related protein which has its motor domain at the central part in its primary structure. Northern blot analysis revealed that KIF1, KIF3, and KIF5 are expressed almost exclusively in murine brain, whereas KIF2 and KIF4 are expressed in brain as well as in other tissues. All these members of the kinesin family are expressed in the same type of neurons, and thus each one of them may transport its specific organelle in the murine central nervous system.

A motor area rostral to the supplementary motor area (presupplementary motor area) in the monkey: neuronal activity during a learned motor task

1. The rostromesial agranular frontal cortex of macaque monkey (Macaca fuscata), traditionally defined as the supplementary motor area (SMA), was studied using various physiological techniques to delineate two different areas rostrocaudally. 2. Field and unitary responses to electrical stimulation of the primary motor cortex were distinct in the caudal part, but minimal or absent in the rostral part. Intracortical microstimulation readily evoked limb or orofacial movements in the caudal part, but only infrequently in the rostral part. Neuronal responses to visual stimuli prevailed in the rostral part, but somatosensory responses were rare. The opposite was true in the caudal part. 3. The rostral part, roughly corresponding to area 6a beta, was operationally defined as the presupplementary motor area (pre-SMA). The caudal part was redefined as the SMA proper. 4. Single-cell activity in the pre-SMA was quantitatively compared with that in the SMA proper in relation to a trained motor task. 5. Phasic responses to visual cue signals indicating the direction of forthcoming arm-reaching movement were more abundant in the pre-SMA. 6. Activity changes during the preparatory period, which lasted until the occurrence of the trigger signal for the reaching movement, were more frequent in the pre-SMA. 7. Phasic, movement-related activity was more frequent in the SMA, and its onset was often time locked to the movement onset. In the pre-SMA, the occurrences of response time locked to the movement-trigger signal were more frequent than in the SMA. 8. Among neurons in both areas, directional selectivity was found in all the cue, preparatory, and movement-related responses.

Serum hormone levels in men with severe acne

In order to evaluate the hormonal milieu in young men with severe acne, we measured serum estradiol (E2), total testosterone (T), free testosterone (FT), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels in sixteen male patients aged 20-30 years with severe acne, including twelve cases of nodular-cystic acne, and in seventeen age-matched normal controls. There were no significant differences in the serum levels of T, FT, DHT, DHEA-S, or SHBG between the patients and the controls, but serum E2 was significantly higher in the patient population. Thus, the hemodynamics of serum androgens in male patients with acne do not seem to differ significantly from that of normal controls. Elevated E2 levels might affect the inflammatory response of acne vulgaris through the release of thymic hormones, as reported in the literature.

[Contents of chemical mediators in sputum in a case of mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchiolitis resembling bronchial asthma]

A case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae bronchiolitis with hypoxemia is presented. A 41-year-old man was admitted to hospital because of fever, productive cough and dyspnea with wheezing of one month duration. On admission, bronchial asthma was suspected on the basis of reversible airflow obstruction and sputum eosinophilia. However, despite treatment with bronchodilators, his condition did not improve. Chest film and computed tomogram revealed small nodular shadows and tramlines in the bilateral lower lung fields, and pulmonary function tests indicated peripheral airway obstruction. Serologic titer for Mycoplasma pneumoniae was 1:160. A diagnosis of bronchiolitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae was made. Improvement of lung function and roentgenographic findings was observed following administration of erythromycin and doxycycline. The concentrations of prostanoids in sputum were markedly higher than in cases of bronchial asthma, and decreased as he improved. These observations suggest that Mycoplasma bronchiolitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of wheezing, and that measurement of prostanoids in sputum may be useful in the differentiation of infective bronchiolitis and bronchial asthma.

New, potent kainate derivatives: comparison of their affinity for [3H]kainate and [3H]AMPA binding sites

Newly synthesized kainate derivatives, 4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-carboxy-3-pyrrolidineacetic acid (HFPA and 4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-2-carboxy-3-pyrrolidineacetic acid (MFPA), were potent inhibitors of [3H]kainate binding to the rat spinal cord synaptic membranes, comparable in their effectiveness to kainate and domoate, whereas acromelic acid A (ACRO-A) and B (ACRO-B) was much less effective than kainate. ACRO-A, MFPA and HFPA all inhibited [3H]AMPA binding. These novel kainate analogues provide new pharmacological tools for analyzing the mechanisms underlying activation of kainate/AMPA receptors.

Oral spironolactone therapy in male patients with rosacea

Spironolactone at 50 mg/day was orally administered for four weeks to 13 male patients with rosacea in order to observe its clinical effectiveness. Serum estradiol (E2), 17OH-progesterone (17OH-P4), testosterone (T), androstenedione (delta 4 A), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dehydro-epiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured prior to and after treatment. Although there were no significant changes in T, delta 4A, DHT, or DHEA-S, the serum levels of 17OH-P4 increased significantly. E2 tended to increase, although the change was not significant. Two of the 13 patients discontinued spironolactone treatment because of general malaise, but seven of the remaining eleven patients exhibited an improvement in their rosacea. These findings demonstrate that a low dose of spironolactone is effective in the treatment of rosacea in some male patients and suggest that it is possible that changes in the metabolism of sex steroid hormones such as cytochrome p-450 isozymes have some bearing on the etiology of rosacea.

[Nonadrenergic noncholinergic inhibitory nervous system in guinea pig airway]

It has been reported that tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig is innervated by both the adrenergic and nonadrenergic noncholinergic (NANC) inhibitory nervous system. However, NANC inhibitory nerve supply to the lower airway of guinea pig has not yet been demonstrated in in vivo experiments. We performed the present study to evaluate the physiological role of NANC inhibitory nerves in tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig in vitro, and in anesthetized guinea pigs in vivo. Innervation of NANC inhibitory nerves to tracheal smooth muscle was much greater than that of adrenergic nerves (77.8 +/- 3.8%, 22.2 +/- 3.8%, respectively, p less than 0.01). Neither decrease in RL nor increase in CL, however, was observed with vagal stimulation during serotonin infusion after the administration of propranolol. The role of NANC inhibitory nerves in histamine-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB) was investigated. HIB was enhanced by vagotomy in guinea pig pretreated with propranolol (p less than 0.01). These results suggest the role of the NANC inhibitory nervous system in the attenuation of HIB in vivo in the guinea pig.

[An autopsy case of Degos disease with neurological symptoms--neuropathological observations and increased platelet aggregation]

We reported clinical and neuropathological observations of a 41-year-old man with Degos disease. He first noted painless skin lesions over the upper extremities in January, 1982. Three years later he was diagnosed as Degos disease by skin biopsy, and treatment with aspirin was started. In September, 1985, he complained of paresthesia on his right arm, followed by a series of new neurological manifestations suggesting multifocal spinal cord lesions. On October 28, examination of admission showed papules with central umblication over the whole body except the head, face, palms, soles and scrotum. Neurological examination revealed no weakness, diminished right biceps reflex, exaggerated patellar reflexes and Achilles reflexes, left extensor plantar reflex, hypesthesia and hypalgesia to the level of Th8, mild left spastic gait, and retention of urine. In November, he had paraparesis, loss of vibration sense of lower extremities, hypesthesia and hypalgesia to the level of TH4, and weakness of right upper extremity. In December, he showed tetraplegia, left-sided facial palsy, and hypesthesia and hypalgesia to the level of C5. In January, 1986, he showed right facial palsy, left facial hypesthesia, pseudobulbar palsy. In February, he had bilateral abducens nerve palsy and hiccups. On February 18, he died of intracranial hemorrhages. He had episodic abdominal pain several times during admission. His condition deteriorated progressively in four months after the first manifestation of neurological symptoms, despite the therapy with heparin, urokinase, ticlopidine, dipyridamole, and prednisolone. Laboratory studies showed gradual increase of CSF proteins (from 156 mg/dl to 602 mg/dl) and extremely increased platelet aggregation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Inhibition of airway smooth muscle contraction by airway epithelium in human bronchus]

To clarify the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of epithelial cells on smooth muscle contraction, we studied two types of human bronchial tissue preparations: (1) "acceptor" bronchial strip without epithelium, (2) "donor" bronchial ring with or without epithelium. We measured the contractile responses of acceptor bronchial strip surrounded by donor bronchial ring to increasing concentrations of acetylcholine (ACh). Removal of the epithelium of the donor bronchial rings significantly enhanced the contractions of the acceptor bronchial strips. Thus, airway epithelium decreases the airway smooth muscle contraction to ACh in human bronchus. The mechanism of this inhibitory effect of airway epithelium was not due to a change in mechanical property of the airway, nor to a change in diffusion path for the chemical mediators. These results suggest that human airway epithelium may have an important role in modulating airway smooth muscle tone, possibly by the release of an epithelium-derived relaxing factor.

[Vasoactive intestinal peptide inhibits vagal neuro-effector transmission in feline airway smooth muscle but not in humans]

It has been reported that low concentrations of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) suppress the release of acetylcholine (ACh) from vagal nerve terminals. However, there is little documentation of the neuro-effector transmission of VIP in human airways. In the present study, the effects of VIP on excitatory neuro-effector transmission in the human bronchus were investigated, in comparison with feline trachea. In feline trachea, VIP (10(-10) to 10(-7) M) reduced the amplitude of contractions evoked by field stimulation in the presence of indomethacin (10(-6) M). By contrast, VIP (10(-10) to 10(-9) M) had no effect on ACh-sensitivity of smooth muscle cells. These results indicate that VIP in low concentrations has a pre-junctional action inhibiting excitatory neuro-effector transmission, in addition to a post-synaptic action, presumably suppressing transmitter release from the vagal nerve terminals. On the other hand, in human bronchi, VIP (10(-9) to 10(-7) M) did not affect either contractions evoked by field stimulation or those evoked by ACh. These results indicate that VIP does not exhibit any pre-junctional effects in the human bronchus at these concentrations.

Effects of immunization against VIP on neurotransmission in cat trachea

To examine the possible role of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission and physiological function of coexistence VIP and acetylcholine at vagus nerve terminals in the cat trachea, we immunized five cats each against conjugate of VIP-bovine serum albumin (BSA) and BSA, respectively. A booster injection of VIP-BSA given 3 wk after the primary one elevated antibodies against VIP, as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, but not in the control cats identically injected with BSA. After immunization, in vitro, summation phenomena observed in the amplitude of contractions and excitatory junction potentials of the trachea evoked by repetitive field stimulation were markedly enhanced, whereas the amplitude of phasic relaxation evoked by repetitive field stimulation in the presence of serotonin, atropine, and guanethidine was markedly reduced. In contrast, in vivo, the change in pulmonary resistance evoked by vagal stimulation was not affected in the immunized cats. We conclude that antibodies against neurotransmitter VIP are a potential modulatory factor in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in airway smooth muscle at tissue or cellular levels. The lack of correlation between in vivo and in vitro conditions was discussed in relation to VIP autoantibodies in normal and asthmatic humans.

Microtubule destabilization by cdc2/H1 histone kinase: phosphorylation of a "pro-rich region" in the microtubule-binding domain of MAP-4

Microtubule-associated protein-4 (MAP-4), a major MAP in proliferating cells, consists of a microtubule-binding domain and a projection domain protruding from the microtubule wall. The former contains a Pro-rich region and an assembly-promoting (AP) sequence region which is common to the neuron-specific MAPs, MAP-2 and tau1. In this paper, we describe the phosphorylation of the Pro-rich region of MAP-4 and the suppression of its assembly-promoting activity by cdc2/H1 histone kinase. This inactivation of MAP-4 may cause disassembly of the interphase microtubular network at the end of the G2 phase of the cell cycle.

Site-specific phosphorylation by protein kinase C inhibits assembly-promoting activity of microtubule-associated protein 4

We have examined the phosphorylation of bovine microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4), formerly named MAP-U, by protein kinase C (PKC). When MAP4 was incubated with PKC, about 1 mol of phosphate was incorporated/mol of MAP4. Phosphorylation of MAP4 caused a remarkable decrease in the ability of the MAP to stimulate microtubule assembly. MAP4 consists of an amino-terminal projection domain and a carboxyl-terminal microtubule-binding domain. The carboxyl-terminal domain is subdivided into a Pro-rich region and an assembly-promoting (AP) sequence region containing four tandem repeats of AP sequence that is conserved in MAP4, MAP2, and tau [Aizawa et al. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 13849-13855]. In order to identify the site of MAP4 phosphorylated by PKC, a series of expressed MAP4 fragments was prepared and treated with the kinase. A fragment corresponding to the Pro-rich region (P fragment) was phosphorylated, while fragments corresponding to the projection domain and the AP sequence region were not. In addition, chymotryptic digestion of an authentic MAP4 prephosphorylated by PKC revealed that phosphate was incorporated almost exclusively into a 27-kDa fragment containing the carboxyl-terminal half of the Pro-rich region. We investigated the phosphorylation site in MAP4 using the P fragment and found that Ser815 was phosphorylated almost exclusively. We conclude that the phosphorylation of a single Ser residue in the Pro-rich region negatively regulates the assembly-promoting activity of MAP4.

Possible roles of the peripheral vagal nerve in histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea-pigs

Although the importance of the vagal nerve in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma has been reported, its precise contribution is still not fully understood. To shed more light on this area, we evaluated the possible contribution of vagal reflex in histamine-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB), and decided the site of action of histamine on the vagal nerve. For this purpose, we studied the effects of the bilateral cervical vagotomy, hexamethonium (2 mg.kg-1) or tetrodotoxin (0.5 mg.kg-1) on HIB (8 micrograms.kg-1, iv) in anaesthetized and mechanically-ventilated guinea-pigs. We also studied whether or not atropine (1 mg.kg-1) decreases HIB after vagotomy, including either the treatment of hexamethonium or tetrodotoxin. Airway responses were assessed by measurement of pulmonary resistance. The following results were obtained; 1) the response to histamine was significantly enhanced by the vagotomy, hexamethonium or tetrodotoxin; 2) propranolol increased HIB, and HIB was further enhanced by the vagotomy in the animals treated with propranolol; 3) atropine significantly suppressed HIB after the vagotomy, hexamethonium or tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that the postganglionic vagal nerve plays an excitatory role in HIB through the release of acetylcholine from the nerve terminals. It is also suggested that the vagal reflex mainly exhibits an inhibitory role in the HIB of guinea-pigs, presumably by the action of the nonadrenergic inhibitory nervous system.

Possible roles of the peripheral vagal nerve in histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea-pigs

Although the importance of the vagal nerve in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma has been reported, its precise contribution is still not fully understood. To shed more light on this area, we evaluated the possible contribution of vagal reflex in histamine-induced bronchoconstriction (HIB), and decided the site of action of histamine on the vagal nerve. For this purpose, we studied the effects of the bilateral cervical vagotomy, hexamethonium (2 mg.kg-1) or tetrodotoxin (0.5 mg.kg-1) on HIB (8 micrograms.kg-1, iv) in anaesthetized and mechanically-ventilated guinea-pigs. We also studied whether or not atropine (1 mg.kg-1) decreases HIB after vagotomy, including either the treatment of hexamethonium or tetrodotoxin. Airway responses were assessed by measurement of pulmonary resistance. The following results were obtained; 1) the response to histamine was significantly enhanced by the vagotomy, hexamethonium or tetrodotoxin; 2) propranolol increased HIB, and HIB was further enhanced by the vagotomy in the animals treated with propranolol; 3) atropine significantly suppressed HIB after the vagotomy, hexamethonium or tetrodotoxin. These results suggest that the postganglionic vagal nerve plays an excitatory role in HIB through the release of acetylcholine from the nerve terminals. It is also suggested that the vagal reflex mainly exhibits an inhibitory role in the HIB of guinea-pigs, presumably by the action of the nonadrenergic inhibitory nervous system.

Functional analyses of the domain structure of microtubule-associated protein-4 (MAP-U)

Bovine microtubule-associated protein-4 (MAP-4), which was previously named MAP-U, consists of an amino-terminal projection domain (N-domain) and a carboxyl-terminal microtubule-binding domain (C-domain) (Aizawa, H., Emori, Y., Murofushi, H., Kawasaki, H., Sakai, H., and Suzuki, K. (1990) J. Biol. Chem. 265, 13849-13855). The C-domain contains a region rich in proline (Pro-rich region) and a region containing four assembly-promoting sequences (AP sequence region) which is shared by MAP-2 and tau. We purified a series of truncated fragments of MAP-4 expressed in Escherichia coli. An N-domain fragment did not bind to microtubules, while a C-domain fragment promoted microtubule assembly. Both of the fragments corresponding to the Pro-rich region (P fragment) and the AP sequence region (A4 fragment) promoted tubulin polymerization, although the A4 fragment had lower activity than intact MAP-4 and P fragment. A4 fragment produced morphologically normal microtubules whereas P fragment produced abnormal microtubules such as duplex microtubules and tight bundles of microtubules with diverse diameters. We concluded that both Pro-rich and AP sequence regions take part in the promotion of tubulin polymerization, and that the former is important for the MAP to bind to microtubules with high efficiency and the latter is essential for the formation of microtubules with normal morphology.

Effect of cyclooxygenase inhibitor on excessive sputum

Indomethacin suppository and aspirin inhalation reduced the amounts of sputum in the patients with bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis. A 67-year-old woman with bronchiectasis received indomethacin suppository to relieve the lumbar pain. After the start of indomethacin, a reduction in the amount of sputum was observed and the volume of sputum returned to pretreatment levels after the cessation of indomethacin. Levels of cyclooxygenase products in the sputum during indomethacin was also much lower than their levels after discontinuance of indomethacin. A 64-year-old man with chronic bronchitis was also administered inhaled aspirin to control the sputum volume. Both indomethacin suppository and aspirin inhalation reduced the amounts of sputum. In addition to these cases, a 31-year-old woman with bronchial asthma was tried to control the sputum production with indomethacin, but it had no effect on the sputum volume. It is suggested that these drugs may be useful in the treatment of excessive sputum in bronchiectasis and chronic bronchitis.

Reorganization of activity in the supplementary motor area associated with motor learning and functional recovery

The supplementary motor area (SMA) of primates has been implicated in the initiation and execution of limb movements. However, when a motor task was extensively overlearned, few SMA neurons, if any, were active before the movement onset. Subsequent lesions of the primary motor cortex gave rise to the appearance of premovement activity changes, indicating usedependent reorganization of the neuronal activity in SMA.

A case of adult onset pure pallidal degeneration. II. Analysis of neurotransmitter markers, with special reference to the termination of pallidothalamic tract in human brain

We analyzed neurotransmitter markers in a brain of a very rare case of pathologically confirmed adult-onset pure pallidal degeneration (PPD) as compared with 16 controls. Neurotransmitter concentrations are significantly altered in the globus pallidus (GP), subthalamic nucleus (ST) and the thalamic nuclei. Concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the external segment (GPe) and internal segment (GPi) of GP and ST are decreased to 62, 45 and 55% of the control mean, respectively. Concentrations of glutamic acid are increased in GPi (144%) and ST (134%). Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities are increased in GPe (232%), GPi (218%), ST (161%), and ventroanterior (VA, 210%) and ventrolateral nucleus (VL, 193%) of the thalamus. Noradrenaline (NA) concentrations in GPe and GPi are 56 and 43% of the control mean, respectively. Dopaminergic and serotonergic systems show no remarkable change. The grid microdissection analysis demonstrates a patchy GABA distribution in the thalamus of 3 controls, whereas a small GABA-rich area in the ventro-oral nucleus (VO) according to the atlas of Hopf disappears in adult onset PPD. These results strongly suggest that (1) GP GABAergic neurons are selectively degenerated and striatopallidal GABAergic nerve terminals are hypoactive; (2) ChAT activities in GP, ST, VA and VL are increased; (3) the subthalamopallidal glutamatergic system is not hypoactive; (4) activity of the noradrenergic system in GP is decreased; and that (5) VO in the thalamus specifically receives GABAergic nerve terminals from GP in human brain.

A case of adult onset pure pallidal degeneration. I. Clinical manifestations and neuropathological observations

We present a case of adult onset progressive neurodegenerative disease with a selective involvement in the globus pallidus (GP). The main symptom was extreme slowness in motion without rigidity, which was distinct from akinesia of parkinsonism. Dystonic posture developed in neck and fingers and mild rigidospasticity appeared in a later stage. Neuropathological examination shows a selective neuronal loss with gliosis in GP and degeneration of the efferent fibers. Although the subthalamic nucleus is slightly atrophic with minimal gliosis, there is no neuronal loss in the nucleus. The rest of the structures are pathologically insignificant. Because the pathological change is confined to GP neurons and their efferent fibers, we think that the marked slowness in motion and dystonic posture are ascribable to the selective GP lesion. A degenerative neurological disorder preferentially involved in GP was reported as pure pallidal degeneration (PPD). The onset of the PPD was in the first or second decades and the main symptoms were choreoathetosis, torsion dystonia and progressive rigidity. These distinct clinical features seemed to distinguish the present case from the previously described PPD. Therefore, we would like to call our case "adult onset" PPD. Clinicopathological correlation is discussed.