2003 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Clinical, cell biological and molecular biological research of ALS/parkinsonism-dementia complex of the Kii peninsula of Japan
| Project/Area Number |
13470132
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Neurology
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| Research Institution | MIe University |
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Principal Investigator |
KUZUHARRA Shigeki Mie University, Faculty of Medicine, Professor, 医学部, 教授 (70111383)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
NARITA Yugo Mie University, Faculty of Medicine, Associate Professor, 医学部, 助教授 (50242954)
KOKUBO Yasumasa Mie University, Hospital, Research Associate, 医学部附属病院, 助手 (60263000)
SASAKI Ryogen Mie University, Faculty of Medicine, Research Associate, 医学部, 助手 (60303723)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2001 – 2003
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| Keywords | amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / parkinsonism-dementia complex / tauopathy / neurofibrillary tangle / Kii peninsula / Guam island |
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| Research Abstract |
(1)Establishment of the disease concept of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/ parkinsonism- dementia complex of the Kii peninsula of Japan ( Kii ALS/PDC).
We revealed the epidemiology, neurological features, and neurophysiological, neuroradiological and neuropathological findings of Kii ALS/PDC. Kii ALS/PDC was proved to be a tauopathy presenting neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the central nervous system (CNS), which are a specific feature of ALS/PDC in Guam.
(2)Genetic analysis
We are performing a DNA analysis and searching the causative gene of Kii ALS/PDC.
(3)Cell biological study of tau protein
NFTs were not observed in the residents with non-neurodegenerative disease in Kii peninsula, so NFT was revealed to be a specific feature of Kii ALS/PDC.
Tau protein, which is accumulated in the brains of Kii ALS/PDC, was analyzed by immunohistochemical and western blot method.
The isoform. of tau protein of Kii ALS/PDC was composed of 3 and 4 repeat tau. Tau protein was hyper-phospholilated at the same sites of that of Alzheimer's disease.
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