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Neuropsychiatry characterization of patients with mitochondrial gene abnormalities

Research Project

Project/Area Number 11670959
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Psychiatric science
Research InstitutionYokohama City University

Principal Investigator

YAMADA Yoshiteru (2001-2002)  Yokohama City University Hospital, Assistant Professor, 医学部附属病院, 助教授 (70220415)

大西 秀樹 (1999-2000)  横浜市立大学, 医学部, 講師 (30275028)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) ONISHI Hideki  Yokohama City University Hospital, Assistant Professor, 精神科, 医師 (30275028)
山田 芳輝  横浜市立大学, 医学部・附属病院, 講師 (70220415)
Project Period (FY) 1999 – 2002
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2002)
Budget Amount *help
¥2,400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,400,000)
Fiscal Year 2002: ¥600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000)
Fiscal Year 2001: ¥600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000)
Fiscal Year 2000: ¥600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000)
Fiscal Year 1999: ¥600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000)
KeywordsMitochondrial gene / Diabetes mellitus / Dementia / Mental symptoms / 感情障害
Research Abstract

Detailed clinical survey of four patients and their relatives with mitochondrial DNA mutation performed. Every patient and available two mothers had A3243G mutation, After eight years' follow up (in the longest case) of patients, no new case who presented neuropsychiatric symptoms had appeared. Their mental symptoms were adult-onset, and some are almost constant and others had remitted but repeated.
We compared a case manifested progressive central nervous system disorders (especially mental symptoms) with cases without progressive central nervous system disorder. Mentally remitted states are continued and neither brain atrophy nor low density areas were observed radiologically in the patients who presented mental symptoms without stroke like episodes. But in the case with stroke like episodes, brain atrophy was progressive and dementia was worsened. Blood levels of lactate and pyruvate were elevated in the case with stroke like episodes than cases without episode. Single photon emission tomography (SPECT) images from one patient showed improvement of regional cerebral blood flow after the treatment. Mental symptoms did not improved with psychotropic drugs only, but with complementary addition of coenzymes some psychotropics mode some benefits.
Hirsute properties of our patients made us to check their skin. Skin biopsy samples of an available patient showed accumulation of abnormal mitochondria in erector muscle of hairs. Similar finding were *bserved in sweat glands and pericytes. His sweating was delayed in sweating test. This may indicate possible abnormality in temperature control of multisysytemic involvements in MELAS.
Diversity of the clinical phenotype is common in mitochondrial disease. Some of mental ill states are caused by mitochondrial abnormalities also, yet relation between genetic abnormalities and mental symptoms is not unclear. Further analysis and evaluation is needed.

Report

(5 results)
  • 2002 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 2001 Annual Research Report
  • 2000 Annual Research Report
  • 1999 Annual Research Report

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Published: 1999-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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