Treatment of hemiplegic migraine with anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide monoclonal antibodies: A case series in a tertiary-care headache center

Hemiplegic migraine (HM) is a subtype of migraine with aura that includes motor weakness; such headaches can be excruciating. The presence of not only headache but also aura symptoms of HM increase the burden on patients, and the treatment of HM is sometimes challenging. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway are novel migraine preventive treatments that have shown promising efficacy in patients with migraine; however, there have been no reports regarding their efficacy in HM to date. Six patients with HM were treated with galcanezumab in a tertiary-care headache center. After 3 months of treatment, the number of monthly days with headache of at least moderate severity was reduced in three patients. The number of days each month with weakness was also reduced in four patients. Furthermore, the Patient's Global Impression of Change and change in Migraine Disability Assessment total score, were improved in five of the six patients after the treatment; however, the change from baseline in days with bothersome symptoms did not show any specific trends in our patients. Notably, no adverse events were reported during the treatments. The mechanism underlying the improvement in aura symptoms in our patients is not clear; however, we speculate that a small amount of CGRP mAbs have a direct mode of action in the central nervous system; alternatively, blocking the CGRP pathway in the periphery may secondarily inhibit cortical spreading depression. While prudence must be practiced, galcanezumab was still generally effective in HM and well tolerated. Further prospective clinical studies will more clearly elucidate the effects of CGRP mAbs in patients with HM.

[Migraine Medication]

Migraine is one of the most disabling diseases with a significant socioeconomic impact. Approximately 8.4% of Japanese people experience migraines. In Japan, five types of triptans have been approved since the year 2000. Furthermore, the development of lomerizine and the approval of valproic acid and propranolol for migraine prophylaxis have greatly improved the treatment of patients with migraines. The 2006 Clinical Practice Guidelines for Chronic Headache were published by the Japanese Headache Society and prompted evidence-based migraine treatment. However, we did not obtain satisfactory results. Since 2021, the number of new treatment options in Japan will increase. Some patients with migraines do not benefit from the poor efficacy, side effects, or vasoconstrictive effects of triptan. Selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (HT) 1F receptor agonist (ditan), which does not stimulate the 5-HT 1B receptor, can compensate for the shortcomings of triptan. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a neuropeptide that plays a vital role in migraine pathophysiology and is a target for migraine preventive therapies. Monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP (galcanezumab and fremanezumab) and its receptor (erenumab) have shown consistent efficacy in migraine prophylaxis, with excellent safety profiles. Its effects on refractory cases have also been reported, and a paradigm shift in migraine treatment is emerging.

Developing an artificial intelligence-based headache diagnostic model and its utility for non-specialists' diagnostic accuracy

BACKGROUND

Misdiagnoses of headache disorders are a serious issue. Therefore, we developed an artificial intelligence-based headache diagnosis model using a large questionnaire database in a specialized headache hospital.

METHODS

Phase 1: We developed an artificial intelligence model based on a retrospective investigation of 4000 patients (2800 training and 1200 test dataset) diagnosed by headache specialists. Phase 2: The model's efficacy and accuracy were validated. Five non-headache specialists first diagnosed headaches in 50 patients, who were then re-diagnosed using AI. The ground truth was the diagnosis by headache specialists. The diagnostic performance and concordance rates between headache specialists and non-specialists with or without artificial intelligence were evaluated.

RESULTS

Phase 1: The model's macro-average accuracy, sensitivity (recall), specificity, precision, and F values were 76.25%, 56.26%, 92.16%, 61.24%, and 56.88%, respectively, for the test dataset. Phase 2: Five non-specialists diagnosed headaches without artificial intelligence with 46% overall accuracy and 0.212 kappa for the ground truth. The statistically improved values with artificial intelligence were 83.20% and 0.678, respectively. Other diagnostic indexes were also improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Artificial intelligence improved the non-specialist diagnostic performance. Given the model's limitations based on the data from a single center and the low diagnostic accuracy for secondary headaches, further data collection and validation are needed.

Clinical Profile of Chronic Cluster Headaches in a Regional Headache Center in Japan

Objective Little is known about the prevalence and characteristics of chronic cluster headache (CCH) in Japan. We therefore characterized the clinical profile of CCH in Japan by surveying patients with CCH who were registered at a Japanese regional headache center. We also reviewed the existing literature for the prevalence and clinical characteristics of CCH reported in various populations. Methods In this single-center retrospective study, we assessed consecutive patients with cluster headache (CH) who visited a regional tertiary headache center between February 2011 and July 2020. They were treated following the Clinical Practice Guideline for Chronic Headache 2013. We compared their demographic characteristics and clinical features according to the CCH onset pattern (primary vs. secondary). Results Of 420 patients with CH, 19 (4.2%) had CCH (9 primary and 10 secondary). The incidence of CCH in Japan is relatively low compared to that in Western countries but is comparable to that in other Asian countries. CCH showed a higher predominance of men than women. Compared to primary CCH, secondary CCH included a higher proportion of current smokers and older patients during clinic visits. Subcutaneous sumatriptan and oxygen inhalation were the most common abortive treatments, and oral prednisolone and verapamil were the most common preventive treatments. Home oxygen therapy was effective in six of seven patients. Only two patients with coexisting migraine received calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-targeted therapies. Conclusions CCH remains refractory to treatment. Improving treatment outcomes will require maximizing the use of currently available drugs and expanding the use of neuromodulation, nerve block, and CGRP-targeted therapies.

Comorbidities in patients with migraine in Japan: a cross-sectional study using data from National Health and Wellness Survey

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to examine the association between migraine and various psychiatric and somatic comorbidities in Japan.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study using existing data of the 2017 Japan National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS).

SETTING

Nationally representative sample of persons (in terms of age and gender) living in the general community aged 18 years or older in Japan.

PARTICIPANTS

Out of a sample of 30 001 NHWS respondents, 378 respondents were identified as migraine patients and 25 209 were identified as non-migraine patients. After propensity score (PS) matching (1:4), 1512 matched non-migraine respondents were identified.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

Prevalence and PS-matched prevalence ORs (PORs) were assessed for each psychiatric and somatic comorbidity among migraine patients and matched non-migraine respondents (including migraine patients with less than 15 monthly headache days (MHDs) and migraine patients with more than 15 MHDs).

RESULTS

Migraine patients were predominately female and had significantly higher prevalence than matched non-migraine respondents to have psychiatric and somatic comorbidities. Psychiatric comorbidities with >5% prevalence among migraine patients included depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety disorders, while gastrointestinal disorders were the most prevalent somatic comorbidity category. Other somatic comorbidities included allergies, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome and anaemia. Migraine patients with more than 15 MHDs tended to have higher point estimates for POR.

CONCLUSION

Psychiatric and somatic conditions were more prevalent in migraine patients than matched non-migraine respondents, some being novel associations not previously reported in Japan. This study provided insights on comorbidities, which could complicate care, clinical practice and outcomes among migraine patients.

[Acemetacin, a Prodrug of Indomethacin, Is Effective for Treatment of Hemicrania Continua: A Japanese Case Report]

A 21-year-old woman reported continuous moderately severe headache in the right frontotemporal region, accompanied by exacerbations with cranial autonomic symptoms and restlessness. The exacerbations appeared several times a week over one to several hours. The patient was diagnosed with hemicrania continua (HC) according to the 3rd edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Because production of the oral indomethacin was discontinued in April 2020, acemetacin, a prodrug of indomethacin, was administered (90 mg/day) and gradually increased to 180 mg/day over 2 months. No recurrence of HC developed. No reports of HC treated with acemetacin have been previously reported in Japan. We suggest that randomized control trials should be performed.

Cranial autonomic symptoms in migraine are related to central sensitization: a prospective study of 164 migraine patients at a tertiary headache center

Background

Cranial autonomic symptoms (CASs) during migraine attacks are reported to be quite common regardless of ethnicity. In our previous study investigating 373 migraineurs, we found that 42.4% of them had CASs. The patients with CASs more frequently had cutaneous allodynia than did those without CASs, and we speculated that CASs were associated with central sensitization. The present study searched for substantial evidence on the relationship between CASs and central sensitization in migraine patients.

Methods

This was a prospective cross-sectional study. We studied a new independent cohort of 164 migraineurs who presented to the Tominaga Hospital Headache Center from July 2018 until December 2019. The clinical features of CASs according to the criteria in ICHD-3 (beta) were investigated. We also evaluated central sensitization based on the 25 health-related symptoms utilizing the validated central sensitization inventory (CSI), and each symptom was rated from 0 to 4 resulting a total score of 0–100.

Results

The mean age was 41.8 (range: 20 to 77) years old. One hundred and thirty-one patients (78.9%) were women. Eighty-six of the 164 (52.4%) patients had at least 1 cranial autonomic symptom. The CSI score of the patients with ≥3 CASs reflected a moderate severity and was significantly higher than in those without CASs (41.9 vs. 30.7, p = 0.0005). The score of the patients with ≥1 conspicuous CAS also reflected a moderate severity and was significantly higher than in those without CASs (40.7 vs. 33.2, p = 0.013). The patients in the CSI ≥40 group had lacrimation, aural fullness, nasal blockage, and rhinorrhea, which are cranial autonomic parasympathetic symptoms, significantly more frequently than those in the CSI < 40 group.

Conclusions

Migraine patients with CASs showed significantly greater central sensitization than those without such symptoms. In particular, cranial parasympathetic symptoms were more frequent in centrally sensitized patients than in nonsensitized patients, suggesting that cranial parasympathetic activation may contribute to the maintenance of central sensitization.

Trial registration

This study was retrospectively registered with UMIN-CTR on 29 Aug 2020 (UMIN000041603).

A Combination of Indomethacin Farnesyl and Amitriptyline Is Effective for Continuous Interictal Pain with Probable Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicrania

A 26-year-old woman with a history of migraine reported right-sided, severe stabbing orbital pain with cranial autonomic symptoms (CASs) for approximately 2 years. The attack duration was approximately 30 minutes, with a frequency of twice per day. Taking loxoprofen was ineffective. Six months earlier, moderate pressing continuous interictal pain without CASs had developed. Indomethacin farnesyl completely resolved the attacks but had no effect on the interictal pain. The patient was diagnosed with probable chronic paroxysmal hemicrania in accordance with the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) (third version). Continuous interictal pain gradually disappeared with a combination of indomethacin farnesyl and amitriptyline.

[An adult case of neurocutaneous melanosis with acute exacerbation after a long asymptomatic period following excision of a melanocytic nevus]

Neurocutaneous melanosis is caused by postzygotic NRAS mutations in neural crest cells, resulting in large or multiple nevi in the skin and proliferation of leptomeningeal melanocytes in the central nervous system. The onset of neurological symptoms is usually before the age of 2 years, but it can also occur in adults. A 35-year-old male had been asymptomatic for a long time after excision of a large congenital melanocytic nevus, but he developed headache, disturbance of consciousness, and seizure. Methotrexate was ineffective, cerebral pressure was decreased by spinal drainage, and steroid pulse therapy was temporarily effective. Seizures and disturbance of consciousness worsened and the patient died on the 92nd day. Cerebrospinal fluid human melanin black-45 immunostaining and serum 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5-S-CD) were useful in diagnosing melanocytic proliferation, and serum 5-S-CD may be useful in predicting prognosis.

[A case of suspected migraine with aura: transient cortical venous dilatation visualized by susceptibility-weighted imaging]

A 41-year-old man was admitted with proper name anomia and headache of sudden onset. He had a history of migraine without aura from the age of 35. Neurological examination on admission showed acalculia, proper name anomia, left-right disorientation and severe left-sided headache with nausea. Susceptibility-weighted MRI revealed dilatation of cortical veins of the left hemisphere. MR angiography and contrast CT revealed no cerebral arterial or venous occlusion. The patient's proper name anomia was improved at 5 hours from the onset and acalculia and left-right disorientation were improved at 17 hours from the onset. At 42 hours from the onset, he had recovered from his headache, and the dilatation of cortical veins of the left hemisphere had disappeared. Acalculia and left and right disorientation are rare presentations of migraine with aura. Susceptibility-weighted imaging may be a useful tool to distinguish migraine with aura from stroke and stroke mimics.

[Clinical Aspects of Short-Lasting Unilateral Neuralgiform Headache Attacks]

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks (SUNHA), within the group of trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias, are characterized by repetitive, brief and severe attacks. The SUNHA includes short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) and short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic symptoms (SUNA). SUNCT is diagnosed if both conjunctival injection and tearing occur ipsilateral to the pain, whereas SUNA is diagnosed if only one, or neither, of conjunctival injection and tearing occurs. Previously considered to be rare and rather refractory to treatment, there is increasing awareness of this syndrome and the therapeutic possibilities. During the worst periods, intravenous lidocaine may decrease the intensity of SUNHA. Lamotrigine is the most-effective prophylactic treatment. For medically intractable SUNHA, several surgical approaches, i.e., microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve and neuromodulation, have been tried. There is considerable clinical, therapeutic and radiological overlap between SUNCT, SUNA, and trigeminal neuralgia. Despite being considered distinct conditions, the emerging evidence suggests a broader nosological concept of SUNCT, SUNA, and trigeminal neuralgia; these conditions may constitute a continuum of the same disorder, rather than separate clinical entities. This article discusses the clinical aspects of the syndrome, including pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, radiological imaging and treatment. (Received May 26, 2020; Accepted June 16, 2020; Published November 1, 2020).

Chronic Cluster Headache with a Pediatric Onset: The First Japanese Case Report

A 9-year-old female reported left-sided, excruciatingly severe, stabbing orbital pain with cranial autonomic symptoms. The attacks continued for 1 year with a remission period of 2 months. Each attack duration was approximately 120 minutes with a frequency of two to three times a day. The patient was diagnosed with chronic cluster headache (CCH) according to the third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders. A combination of low-dose verapamil and lomerizine once a week decreased the frequency of the attacks, and oral sumatriptan became an effective abortive therapy. No case reports of pediatric CCH have been previously published in Japan.

Burden of migraine among Japanese patients: a cross-sectional National Health and Wellness Survey

BACKGROUND

Limited studies have measured the burden of migraine in Japan. This study aimed at estimating the disease burden of migraine in Japan and identifying factors associated with the burden using the 2017 National Health and Wellness Survey.

METHODS

Migraine patients were defined by ICHD-3 like criteria with ≥4 monthly headache days (MHDs), and non-migraine respondents were selected using 1:4 propensity score matching. Multivariate analyses were conducted to compare Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL), work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI), healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs between the two groups, and to identify factors associated with these outcomes in migraine patients.

RESULTS

In 30,001 respondents, 378 migraine patients were identified. Compared to matched controls (N = 1512), migraine patients had lower physical (45.17 vs. 49.89), mental (42.28 vs. 47.71) and role/social (37.91 vs. 44.19) component summary scores (p < 0.001). Migraine patients had higher absenteeism (6.4% vs. 2.2%), presenteeism (40.2% vs. 22.5%), total work productivity impairment (44.3% vs. 24.5%), total activity impairment (45.0% vs. 23.9%), indirect costs (1,492,520 JPY vs. 808,320 JPY) and more visits to healthcare providers in the past 6 months (7.23 vs. 3.96) (p < 0.001). More MHDs was associated with worse HRQoL, and higher HRU and indirect costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Japanese migraine patients experience an incremental burden. This demonstrates the unmet needs among Japanese migraine patients.

[Confusional migraine in a young adult female: Is it a subtype of migraine with aura?]

A 22-year-old female was admitted to our hospital due to acute onset of severe headache, confusion, and deterioration of consciousness. Results of initial examinations did not suggest cerebrovascular diseases, encephalitis, or nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Over the next several weeks, her level of consciousness fluctuated in parallel with the severity of headache. The electroencephalogram, recorded during a symptomatic episode, showed lack of posterior dominant rhythm, and the single-photon emission CT (SPECT) also revealed a decrease in cerebral blood flow predominantly in the occipital lobes. Administration of sodium valproate and topiramate, recommended as treatment for migraine, dramatically ameliorated her headache and consciousness. Although this was an adult-onset case, her symptoms and clinical course were similar with the diagnosis of ICHD-3-unlisted confusional migraine rather than other listed subtypes of migraine with aura. Further accumulation of similar adult-onset cases is necessary to clarify the nature of this illness.

Clinical profile of SUNCT/SUNA in Japan: A clinic-based study

Objectives:

This study aimed to report the clinical profiles of patients with short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT)/short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with cranial autonomic (SUNA) in a Japanese population by surveying those enrolled at a regional headache center in Japan.

Methods:

In this consecutive case series study, the clinical characteristics of patients with SUNCT (eight men, three women; mean age: 59.5 ± 20.5 years) and SUNA (five men, four women; mean age: 51.3 ± 18.4 years) who visited Tominaga Hospital from February 2011 to January 2017 were examined. Headaches were diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, Third edition (ICHD-3) guidelines.

Results:

Brief clusters of separate attacks were reported by all patients. The mean duration of attacks was 91.9 ± 87.9 s. Ipsilateral rhinorrhea was observed in 9 of 20 (45.0%) cases and facial sweating was observed in 1 of 20 (5.0%) cases. An eminent response to lamotrigine was observed in 9 of 9 (100%) patients; however, adverse events were only reported in 2 of 9 (22.2%) cases. An intravenous infusion of lidocaine was demonstrated to be completely successful for short-term prevention in 5 of 6 (83.3%) SUNCT cases.

Conclusions:

Lamotrigine can successfully treat most patients, and intravenous lidocaine is useful for the short-term preventive therapy of severe recalcitrant attacks in Japanese patients with SUNCT/SUNA.

[Effective Microvascular Decompression of the Trigeminal Nerve in a Patient with SUNCT]

A 43-year-old man presented with severe, saw-tooth pattern pain around the right eye that started with conjunctival injection, lacrimation and nasal discharge, lasting for about 1 hour, 4 months after the initial onset of lancinating pain in the same area. The patient was diagnosed with SUNCT (short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing) according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3rd edition (beta version). The symptoms improved in 2 months but recurred 6 months later. He developed a toxic eruption after receiving a variety of antiepileptic agents including lamotrigine, which suggested refractory SUNCT. Head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed neurovascular compression (NVC) involving the right trigeminal nerve. Microvascular decompression (MVD) was performed, and the pain was relieved postoperatively. MVD should be considered when treating refractory SUNCT because NVC may be involved in some cases. (Received February 29, 2016; Accepted April 4, 2016; Published August 1, 2016).

[Successful treatment of hemicrania continua with a combination of low-dose indomethacin and pregabalin: a case report]

A 51-year-old man complained of continuous pain lasting about 3 weeks around his forehead and left orbit-locations where pain may indicate conjunctival injection and lacrimation. Upon arrival to our hospital, his neurological examination was normal, and brain MRI showed no abnormality. The headache disappeared with indomethacin treatment (75 mg/day), and a diagnosis of hemicrania continua (HC) was established according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition. The headache returned after reducing the dose of indomethacin. After adding pregabalin (150 mg/day) to his treatment regimen, we could reduce the dose of indomethacin from 75 mg/day to 25 mg/day, which the patient tolerated well. Although HC is one of the indomethacin-responsive headaches, continuous administration can cause side effects including gastrointestinal disorders. Such side effects can decrease the tolerability of indomethacin, and may eventually lead to its reduction or discontinuation. Pregabalin can be an alternative to indomethacin for treating HC.

[A combination of ramelteon and Yi-gan san successfully improved post-surgical delirium in a patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage]

A 68-year-old woman presented with a sudden severe headache, vomiting, and disturbed consciousness. She was admitted to the emergency room. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a hemorrhage in the right temporal lobe. Angiography demonstrated a ruptured aneurysm in the right middle cerebral artery (MCA) and an unruptured aneurysm in the left MCA. The subarachnoid hemorrhage was grade 3 (Hunt and Kosnik classification). Emergency craniotomy, clipping of the ruptured aneurysm and removal of the hematoma were performed. The left hemiparesis improved, and the patient was able to walk. We prescribed triazolam (0.25 mg/day) to treat the patient's insomnia. The unruptured aneurysm was additionally clipped on the 15th hospital day. After the second operation, the patient complained of delirium with restlessness, excitement, disorganized behavior, and sleep disturbance. Treatment with thiapride (150 mg/day) did not improve the delirium. We additionally administered Yi-gan san (7.5 g/day) and switched the triazolam to ramelteon (8 mg/day). The Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale score improved dramatically (from 16 at onset to 5 on day 7 and 1 at two months). Yi-gan san is reported to be effective for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Ramelteon, a melatonin receptor agonist, is implicated in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. Ramelteon, unlike other hypnotic drugs, does not cause oversedation, rebound insomnia, withdrawal symptoms or dependence. In addition, we have noted no adverse effects, including oversedation or clinically significant changes in laboratory data, during combination therapy. A combination of ramelteon and Yi-gan san may therefore be beneficial in elderly patients with delirium, especially when there is a risk of oversedation.

[Headache disorders]

Primary headache disorders such as migraine, tension-type headache, and cluster headache are prevalent and disabling neurological disorders. Although most headache disorders are largely treatable, they are under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated. Many headache sufferers in Japan do not receive appropriate and effective health care; hence, the illness, which should be relieved, persists and acts as an individual and societal burden. One of the barriers most responsible for this is poor awareness of the disorders. For lifting the burden, health care must be improved. Education is an essential way to resolve these issues at multiple levels. We have a Japanese version of the international headache classification and diagnostic criteria II (ICHD-II) and guidelines for the management of chronic headaches. Utilization of these resources is key for the improvement of headache management in our country. Not only neurologists, but also neurosurgeons and other medical specialists are participating in headache care in Japan. The Japanese Headache Society and the Japanese Society for Neurology should play major roles in health care service, education programs, as well as clinical and basic research for headache disorders. The road map for realizing our aim on headache treatment is as follows: (1) increase the number of units concerning headache in lectures for medical students, implement training programs for residents and neurologists, and offer continuous medical educations for physicians and neurologists; (2) secure more funding for headache research; (3) propagate medical care for headache in primary care settings and regional fundamental hospitals; (4) reform the health care system for headache and incentivize appropriate compensation for headache care in public health insurance; and (5) spread appropriate information on medical and socio-ethical issues related to headache for the sufferers and citizens. The authors expect that many neurologists have an interest in headache and understanding headaches, and better health care for headache disorders will bring great benefits for the sufferers.

[Suspected measles encephalitis caused by modified measles that was difficult to diagnose: a case report]

A 72-year-old man with subacute right upper limb palsy was diagnosed with cerebral infarction at another hospital. However, the head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans showed no abnormalities. He was later transferred to our hospital because of cognitive dysfunctions. Because his symptoms had gradually worsened, a second head MRI was performed on admission. The scans showed an abnormality in the left frontal-parietal lobe, and the serum measles IgM level was elevated. Measles encephalitis was consequently diagnosed and steroid pulse therapy was immediately initiated. The patient recovered with no limb palsy or cognitive dysfunctions. With widespread administration of the measles vaccine, we expect that the incidence of modified measles will increase in the future. Hence the serum titer of the measles virus should be measured when patients with subacute meningoencephalitis of unclear origin are identified.

[A case with HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM) accompanied by primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH)]

We reported a 60-year-old female patient with HTLV-I associated myelopathy (HAM) accompanied by primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and autoimmune hepatitis (AIH). The diagnosis of PBC and AIH was confirmed by liver biopsy. HAM is considered to be mediated by cellular immune mechanisms, while humoral immune mechanisms may play a predominant role in the development of PBC and AIH. Flowcytometric analysis of lymphocyte subset of peripheral blood was within normal limits. We then collected CD4 positive cells from the patient. These cells expressed T helper 2 (Th 2) cytokine mRNA such as IL-4 and IL-10, but did not express Th 1 cytokines, indicating the predominance of Th 2 in this patient. This case suggested the possibility that disease associated Th 2 might develop in the course of Th1-mediated disease like HAM.

[A case of acute transverse myelopathy and bilateral optic neuritis associated with anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant and perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies]

A 69-year-old woman developed paraplegia and hypesthesia on upper extremities and below T4 level. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid showed increased protein levels and pleocytosis. MRI of the cervical spinal cord revealed syrinx formation from C3 to upper thoracic cord. A diagnosis of acute transverse myelitis was made. A high dose of corticosteroid including pulse therapy did not improve her symptoms and signs of myelopathy, but the syrinx could not be found thereafter. One year later, she developed severe visual loss due to bilateral optic neuritis which was improved spontaneously. The clinical course and MRI findings were similar to those of the optic-spinal form of multiple sclerosis (MS). The presence of anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant and perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, however, strongly suggested that vasculitic and/or ischemic mechanisms induced by these autoantibodies might play a role on the development of the disease. We conclude that our case should be distinguished from MS.

Does motilin stimulate the gastrointestinal motility of the pig? In vitro study using smooth muscle strips and dispersed muscle cells

To clarify the physiological role of motilin in the pig gastrointestinal (GI) tract, effect of Leu13-porcine motilin (LMT) on the contractility of GI smooth muscle was investigated in studies using isolated muscle strips and dispersed muscle cells. LMT produced no contraction in either longitudinal muscle (LM) or circular muscle (CM) of the stomach (fundus, corpus, antrum), duodenum, ileum and colon even at 1 microM. Pretreatment with LMT (1 nM-1 microM) did not potentiate the contractile response to acetylcholine (ACh) in each muscle strip. Dispersed cells from the duodenum responded to ACh in a concentration-dependent manner (EC50 = 10 pM), but not to LMT even at a high concentration (10 microM). Electrical field stimulation (EFS) caused a frequency-dependent (0.2-10 Hz) contraction of the duodenal LM that was almost completely inhibited by atropine or tetrodotoxin. EFS caused the relaxation of duodenal CM in a frequency-dependent manner (0.1-10 Hz). This relaxation was not inhibited by atropine, propranolol, phentolamine or guanethidine, indicating the involvement of noncholinergic, nonadrenergic (NCNA) nerves. NG-nitro L-arginine methylester (L-NAME, 100 microM) attenuated the EFS-induced relaxation and the inhibition at low frequency was larger than that at high frequency. L-Arginine prevented the inhibition by L-NAME but D-arginine did not. LMT (1 nM-1 microM) had no influence on EFS-induced cholinergic contraction of LM and EFS-induced NCNA relaxation of CM layer. The present in vitro studies indicate that motilin is ineffective in producing contraction and in modulating the autonomic neuroeffector transmission of the pig GI smooth muscle, and suggest that pig GI smooth muscle lacks functional motilin receptors.