An exploratory, open-label, randomized, multicenter trial of hachimijiogan for mild Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegeneration and is the most prevalent form of dementia. Intervention at an early stage is imperative. Although three acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) are currently approved for the treatment of mild AD, they are not sufficiently effective.

Economic Burden of Alzheimer's Disease Dementia in Japan.

Background: Alzheimer's disease dementia (ADD) is the leading cause of long-term care in Japan.

Objective: This study estimates the annual healthcare and long-term care costs in fiscal year 2018 for adults over 65 years of age with ADD in Japan and the informal care costs and productivity loss for their families.

Methods: Healthcare and long-term care costs for ADD were estimated according to the disease severity classified by the clinical dementia rating (CDR) score, using reports from a literature review.

Validation of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Based on Item Response Theory.

Background: The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) is a widely used scale for the assessment of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). We previously developed a novel dementia scale, the ABC dementia scale, in the TRIAD1412 trial and we compared the BPSD domain scores with the NPI scores. We, therefore, considered that we should investigate the quality of the NPI items using statistical approaches.

A Single-institution Study on Predictors of Short-term Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease to Parkinson's Disease with Dementia.

Background: Patients with non-demented Parkinson's disease (PD) sometime have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD-MCI) may convert to Parkinson's disease with dementia (PDD) within several years. Cognitive impairment also occurs in the early stages of the disease, gradually progressing to lower quality of life and instrumental activities of daily living. It is important to elucidate the predictors of progression from PD-MCI to PDD via longitudinal studies.

A program of exercise, brain training, and lecture to prevent cognitive decline.

Objective: We examined the benefits of a community-based program combining physical exercise, cognitive training, and education on dementia and lifestyle habits.

Methods: This crossover open-label trial included 141 community-dwelling elderly people with suspected mild cognitive decline (MCD). Subjects were assigned to a 6-month intervention-first/6-month observation-second (INT-OBS) group or an OBS-INT group.

ABC Dementia Scale Classifies Alzheimer's Disease Patients into Subgroups Characterized by Activities of Daily Living, Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia, and Cognitive Function.

The course of Alzheimer's disease (AD) varies between individuals, and the relationship between cognitive and functional decline and the deterioration of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is still poorly understood. Until recently, it was challenging to monitor subsequent changes in these symptoms because there was no single composite scale available that could simultaneously evaluate activities of daily living (ADL), BPSD, and cognitive function (CF) states. The present authors developed a new, brief assessment scale, the "ABC Dementia Scale" (ABC-DS), which is based on item response theory and facilitates concurrent measurement of ADL, BPSD, and CF states.

Global Clinical Dementia Rating Score of 0.5 May Not Be an Accurate Criterion to Identify Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Many studies use the global clinical dementia rating (CDR) of 0.5 as a criterion for mild cognitive impairment, but past studies have not fully discussed its validity. The authors developed the ABC Dementia Scale (ABC-DS) to accurately monitor the changes in activities for daily living, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and cognitive function.

Development of a novel convenient Alzheimer's disease assessment scale, the ABC Dementia Scale, using item response theory.

Aim: The present study aimed to assess the interrater reliability and construct the validity of a novel, convenient informant-based Alzheimer's disease assessment scale to prepare its final version.

Methods: For the assessment, site investigators, co-medicals and, if available, medical staff other than doctors or co-medicals interviewed study informants to assess individuals using this scale. We then analyzed the interrater reliability and construct validity using factor analysis and item response characteristics.

[Pharmacologic Therapies for Different Types of Dementia].

We provide a general overview of pharmacologic treatments for different types of dementia in light of the Guidelines on the Clinical Management of Dementia in Japan 2017, clinical data not addressed in those guidelines, and the results of observational studies, focusing mainly on the treatment of Alzheimer-type dementia. In everyday clinical practice, patients must be provided with personalized treatment that strikes a balance between evidence-based treatment, as described in the guidelines and actual clinical circumstances.

Clinical diversity caused by novel IGHMBP2 variants.

Immunoglobulin helicase μ-binding protein 2 (IGHMBP2) gene is responsible for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) type 2S and spinal muscular atrophy with respiratory distress type 1 (SMARD1). From June 2014 to December 2015, we collected 408 cases, who referred to our genetic laboratory for genetic analysis, suspected with CMT disease or other inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPNs) on the basis of clinical manifestations and electrophysiological studies. Mutation screening was performed using Ion AmpliSeq Custom Panels, which comprise 72 disease-causing or candidate genes of IPNs.

Prevalence of progressive supranuclear palsy in Yonago: change throughout a decade.

Background: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is sometimes confused with Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and other disorders. The typical clinical features are categorized as Richardson's syndrome (RS), but other clinical subtypes include PSP-parkinsonism (PSP-P) and PSP-pure akinesia with gait freezing (PSP-PAGF). In this study, we determined the prevalence of PSP in a Japanese rural area compared to our previous 1999 report.

Association of cerebral white matter lesions with cognitive function and mood in Japanese elderly people: a population-based study.

Background: To determine the relationships between regional white matter lesions (WMLs), lifestyle factors, and cognitive, motor function and mood.

Methods: A comprehensive evaluation, including brain MRI, blood tests, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, the Mini Mental State Examination, and the Geriatric Depression Scale, was performed for people aged 65 years or older living in Ama-cho on October 1, 2009. Participants were classified by severity of periventricular hyperintensities (PVH) and deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMH) using the Fazekas score.

Clinical evaluation of fatigue in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Fatigue is a common nonmotor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although the causes of fatigue were estimated in the previous reports, fatigue is not fully understood. To determine the frequency of and factors related to fatigue in patients with PD, we carried out clinical assessments in our university hospital.

Impulsive compulsive behaviors in Japanese Parkinson's disease patients and utility of the Japanese version of the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's disease.

Background: In order to evaluate impulsive compulsive behaviors (ICBs), such as pathological gambling, compulsive sexual behavior, compulsive buying, compulsive eating, punding, and dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) in Japanese Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, we constructed a Japanese version of the Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's disease (J-QUIP) and evaluated the utility of the J-QUIP in Japanese PD patients.

Methods: J-QUIP was administered to 121 PD patients. Diagnoses of ICBs were made via interview of patients or their caregivers.

Epidemiological survey of frontotemporal lobar degeneration in tottori prefecture, Japan.

Background: The prevalence of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) in Japan is unknown. An epidemiological survey study of FTLD was undertaken in Tottori Prefecture, a district in the western region of Japan.

Methods: Hospitals in Tottori Prefecture were surveyed by a two-step questionnaire in 2010, and the prevalence of FTLD per 100,000 inhabitants was calculated using the actual number of patients and inhabitants in Tottori Prefecture on the prevalence day of October 1, 2010.

Prevalence of Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Rural Island Town of Ama-cho, Japan.

Aims: In order to determine the prevalence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), we conducted a population-based study in Japan.

Methods: Participants included 924 subjects aged 65 years or older who resided in the town of Ama-cho. In phase 1 of the study, the Mini-Mental State Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating were administered for screening purposes.

Mild parkinsonian signs in a community-dwelling elderly population sample in Japan.

Mild parkinsonian signs (MPS) may represent the mild end of a disease spectrum that spans from normal aging to neurodegenerative diseases. We conducted a population-based study in a rural island town in western Japan, Ama-cho. Participants included 1129 subjects, aged 60 years and older, residing in the town.