Extracellular α-synuclein--a possible initiator of inflammation in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease involving the loss of dopamine-producing neurons of the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies which contain high levels of α-synuclein. Although the causative factors of PD remain unclear, the progression of PD is accompanied by a highly localized inflammatory response mediated by reactive microglia. Recently, attention has focused on the relationship between α-synuclein and microglial activation.

[Mixed craniopharyngioma: long-term results after gamma knife combined with stereotactic brachytherapy].

Objective: To evaluate the long-term results of combination treatment with Gamma Knife radiosurgery and stereotactic intracavitary brachytherapy for mixed cystic and solid craniopharyngiomas.

Methods: Sixty-seven consecutive patients with mixed cystic and solid craniopharyngioma treated by Gamma Knife radiosurgery combined with stereotactic brachytherapy from October 1996 to December 2005 were selected for retrospective analysis. The inclusion criterion was the patients who survived for at least 5 years after combined treatment.

[Diagnosis and radiotherapy of germinomas arising in basal ganglia and thalamus].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristic and radiotherapeutic effect of germinomas arising in basal ganglia and thalamus.

Methods: The clinical data of 13 cases were reviewed retrospectively. All cases were pathologic diagnosis through stereotactic biopsy.