Objectives:Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a common psychiatric disorder with relatively high morbidity and heritability. Affecting approximately 1% of the global population, SCZ is estimated to have an individual heritability of 60-85%. In recent years, several promising genetic loci have been identified using novel approaches such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Multiple GWAS have consistently reported that inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain (ITIH) family genes located on chromosome 3p21 are associated with SCZ in European populations, as demonstrated by the Schizophrenia Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and subsequent studies, as well as with bipolar disorder, another major psychotic disorder. Methods:In the present study, we conducted a case-control association analysis and haplotype analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the ITIH gene cluster at the 3p21 region to examine whether these variants confer genetic risk for schizophrenia in a Japanese population. In addition, we resequenced the ITIH1 gene to identify single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and performed protein structural analyses to predict the effects of these variants on protein stability, aiming to clarify the potential contribution of ITIH1 to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Results:A significant difference in haplotype frequencies for the two-SNP window comprising rs2710322 and rs1042779 was observed. Resequencing identified 4 potentially deleterious variants. Conclusions:This study suggests a possible role of ITIH1 in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.

Objectives The accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) may be involved in the pathophysiology of several neuropsychiatric diseases. In this study, the skin AGEs level of several neuropsychiatric diseases was assessed with a simple noninvasive method. Moreover, whether skin AGE level can be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of these diseases was evaluated. Methods A total of 27 patients with schizophrenia, 26 with major depressive disorder, and 10 with major neurocognitive disorders (MNDs), such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia with Lewy body, as well as 26 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The skin AGE levels of the patients were assessed with an AGE scanner, a fluorometric method used to assay skin AGE levels. Results One-way analysis of covariance was performed after adjusting for significant covariates, including age. Although the group with MNDs had higher skin AGE levels than the other groups, the main effect of diagnosis did not significantly affect the skin AGE levels of the groups. Conclusions Skin AGE levels in neuropsychiatric diseases with mild symptoms did not significantly differ. Further large-scale studies using a simple noninvasive method for the early detection and treatment of MNDs must be conducted.

Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) is an effective treatment for motor symptoms in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Various postoperative psychiatric symptoms have been reported following STN-DBS, including delirium, mania, depressive states, aggression, hallucinations, and delusions.1, 2 We retrospectively analyzed delirium and psychosis after DBS in a consecutive series of patients who underwent bilateral STN-DBS for treatment of PD. This is a retrospective observational study. Delirium was defined according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th Edition), and postoperative psychosis was defined as organic hallucination based on ICD-10. Patients with major psychiatric problems (e.g., severe depressive episodes, schizophrenia) were excluded. We enrolled 143 patients (75 males, 68 females) who underwent bilateral STN-DBS for PD between August 2015 and September 2018 at Juntendo University Hospital. Before DBS, we assessed the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment Japanese version, Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), Delirium Rating Scale, and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS-UPDRS III). The UPDRS ratio was calculated as follows: [(MDS-UPDRS IIIoff) – (MDS-UPDRS IIIon)/(MDS-UPDRS IIIoff)]. We calculated the levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) three times: before DBS, and 14 and 21 days after DBS. We defined ‘change over time in LEDD’ as [(LEDDbaseline) – (LEDD14 days after DBS)]/(LEDDbaseline), and ‘proportion of dopamine agonist (DA)’ as [(DA LEDD)/(total LEDD)]. The clinical features of the patients are summarized in Table S1. Of the 143 patients, six (4.2%) patients had psychosis after DBS, all within a day after increasing the stimulation. Four patients recovered within several weeks. One patient left the hospital with psychotic symptoms. One patient died by suicide (Table S2). Five of six patients with postoperative psychosis had preoperative pareidolia. Minor preoperative hallucinations may be associated with postoperative psychosis. We reinitiated the stimulation immediately after the psychosis, and DAs were decreased or stopped. If the symptoms still did not improve, patients were treated with antipsychotic medications. We gradually increased the stimulation after the symptoms improved or disappeared (Table S2). In addition, five of six patients with postoperative psychosis presented with dyskinesia, suggesting that postoperative psychosis was associated with dopamine sensitivity. Patients with psychosis were significantly younger than patients with no psychosis (P = 0.0485) (Fig. S1). The MDS-UPDRS III score in the medication-off period before DBS was significantly higher in patients with postoperative psychosis than in patients with no psychosis (P = 0.00136) (Fig. S1). LEDD at 14 and 21 days after DBS was not significantly different in the psychosis group compared to the no psychosis group (Table S1). To compare changes in dopamine over time from baseline to 14 days after DBS, we calculated the change over time in total LEDD [(baseline – 14 days after DBS)/baseline]. We found no significant difference between patients with and without psychosis. It is said that DAs are related to hallucinations and delusions. We compared the proportion of DAs in the total LEDD, which was calculated as (DA LEDD)/(total LEDD). The proportion of DAs in the psychosis group was significantly higher than in the no psychosis group at 14 days after DBS (t[141] = −2.082, P = 0.0391). However, we found no significant difference between the psychosis and no psychosis groups before surgery (Table S1 and Fig. S1). Age, MMSE, and FAB in patients with delirium were significantly different from patients with no delirium (p[age] = 0.000545, p[MMSE] = 0.0140, p[FAB] = 0.0180) (Table S3). The incidence of hallucination in patients with PD receiving medical treatment is 16.2%, and the incidence of postoperative delirium in elderly non-PD individuals is 10–70%.3, 4 Our results suggest that DBS surgery did not confer a higher risk of postoperative mental confusion. Shiina (2015) evaluated 32 patients who underwent DBS. At 3 months, 12 patients with psychiatric symptoms had worsened due to DBS. At one year, six patients had some psychiatric symptoms caused by DBS.5 In our study, continuing DAs without reducing the dose after surgery was a trigger for postoperative psychotic symptoms. Further studies are needed to reveal the mechanisms involved. We identified three interesting differences between psychosis and delirium. First, patients with psychosis were younger than patients with no psychosis. On the other hand, patients with delirium were older than patients with no delirium. Second, cognitive function was related to delirium but not postoperative psychosis. Third, the time of onset was different for delirium compared to psychosis. Delirium was detected immediately after surgery, but psychosis occurred after increasing stimulation. Further studies are needed to reveal the mechanisms involved. This study was funded by the Juntendo Mental Health Institute (2019-001). The authors have no conflicts of interest to report regarding this paper. Dr. Ito, Dr. Sasaki, Dr. Katsuta, Dr. Sekimoto, Dr. Jo, Dr. Nakamura, Dr. Nakajima, and Dr. Ohnuma have nothing to disclose. Dr. Oyama has received speaker honoraria from Medtronic and Boston Scientific, outside the submitted work. Dr. Shimo reports other honoraria from Medtronic and other honoraria from Boston Scientific, outside the submitted work. Dr. Iwamuro reported that the Department of Research and Therapeutics for Movement Disorders, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, is an endowment department supported with an unrestricted grant from Medtronic and Boston Scientific, outside the submitted work. Dr. Umemura reports that the Department of Research and Therapeutics for Movement Disorders, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, is an endowment department supported with an unrestricted grant from Medtronic and Boston Scientific. Dr. Umemura received speaker honoraria from Medtronic and Boston Scientific. Dr. Hattori reports that the Department of Research and Therapeutics for Movement Disorders, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, is an endowment department supported with an unrestricted grant from Medtronic and Boston Scientific outside the submitted work. Table S1. Characteristics of participants with and without psychosis after DBS. Table S2. Cases with psychosis after DBS. Table S3. Characteristics of participants with and without delirium after DBS. Figure S1. A: Age. This is a box and whisker chart. Patients with psychosis after DBS were significantly younger than patients with no psychosis (t[141] = 1.990, P = 0.0485). The upper and lower limits of each box indicate the third and first quartiles. The horizontal line in the box indicates the median. The cross indicates the mean. The upper whisker indicates the maximum, and the lower whisker indicates the minimum. B: MDS-UPDRS III. This is a box and whisker chart. The MDS-UPDRS III score in the medication-off period before DBS was significantly higher in patients with postoperative psychosis than in patients with no psychosis (t[141] = −3.268, P = 0.00136). C: Age vs. UPDRS-III. The x axis indicates age, and the y axis indicates the MDS-UPDRS III score in the medication-off period. Black circles show patients with postoperative psychosis, and white circles show patients with no psychosis. We found no significant relationship between age and the MDS-UPDRS III score. D: LEDD. This bar graph shows the change over time in the levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD). LEDD was significantly reduced from baseline at 14 and 21 days after DBS (F[2,426] = 114.28, P = 1.856 × 10−40; post-hoc P[baseline-14days] = 3.380 × 10−26, P[baseline-21days] = 1.559 × 10−37 and P[14days-21days] = 0.0148). The LEDD at each time point was not significantly different between psychosis and no psychosis. Error bars show the standard error. E: Proportion of DA. This bar graph shows the change over time in the dopamine agonist (DA) ratio in total LEDD. The y axis on the left indicates [(LEDD of DA)/(total LEDD)]. The x axis indicates days after DBS. The proportion of DA in the psychosis group was significantly higher than that in the no psychosis group at 14 days after DBS (t[141] = −2.082, P = 0.0391). However, we found no significant difference before DBS (Table S1). Figure S2. IMP-SPECT. This bar graph shows regional cerebral blood flow as assessed with 123I-IMP-SPECT. The left graph indicates the left hemisphere, and the right graph indicates the right hemisphere. We divided the brain into 31 areas. The black bar represents “no psychosis”, and the gray bar represents “psychosis” after DBS. The y axis on the left indicates the relative blood flow in each area. We found no significant different between psychosis and no psychosis. Error bars show the standard error. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.

Background: Prevention of age-related cognitive decline and depression is becoming urgent because of rapid growing aging populations. Effects of vagal nerve activation on brain function by food ingredients are inadequately investigated; matured hop bitter acid (MHBA) administration reportedly improves cognitive function and depression via vagal nerve activation in model mice. Objective: We investigated the effects of MHBA supplementation on cognitive function and mood state in healthy older adults with perceived subjective cognitive decline. Methods: Using a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial design, 100 subjects (aged 45–69 years) were randomly assigned into placebo (n = 50) and MHBA (n = 50) groups, and received placebo or MHBA capsules daily for 12 weeks. Results: Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) score assessing divided attention at week 12 was significantly higher (p = 0.045) and β-endorphin at week 12 was significantly lower (p = 0.043) in the subjects receiving MHBA. Transthyretin in serum, a putative mild cognitive impairment marker, was significantly higher at week 12 in the MHBA group than in the placebo group (p = 0.048). Subgroup analysis classified by the subjective cognitive decline questionnaire revealed that in addition to improved SDMT scores, memory retrieval assessed using the standard verbal paired-associate learning tests and the Ray Verbal Learning Test at week 12 had significantly improved in the subgroup with perceived subjective cognitive decline and without requirement for medical assistance in the MHBA group compared with that in the placebo group. Conclusion: This study suggested that MHBA intake improves cognitive function, attention, and mood state in older adults.

In our rapidly aging societies, the number of dementia patients is expected to reach 66 million worldwide by 2030. Currently, there are three types of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors used as anti-dementia drugs and an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist that is prescribed to prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, adequate efficacy has not been demonstrated in clinical practice with these anti-dementia drugs. In addition, in 2019, several promising drugs failed at the phase III clinical trial stage. A beta-secretase inhibitor that could eliminate amyloid proteins, one of the pathophysiological features of AD was undergoing two clinical trials at our Juntendo University Hospital, both of which were canceled at phase III in September of 2019. One reason is that their first medical examinations were performed too late because some PET studies to detect accumulations of amyloid-beta proteins (Aβ), showed that in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) levels, Aβ had already been accumulated. This paper discusses the current nutritional approaches and early clinical interventions available for AD. In particular, it discusses the first clinical trial conducted in Japan to investigate the adverse effects and benefits of using medical foods, especially, 1) medium-chain triglycerides as an energy source for brain, 2) milk-derived whey dipeptide and 3) ripening extract from hops, these two foods could act as anti-inflammation for the treatment of Japanese patients with AD.

This retrospective observational study investigated the relationship between rehospitalization rates and use of antipsychotic agents. The medical records of 92 Japanese patients with acute stage schizophrenia who were admitted to Juntendo Koshigaya Hospital or Juntendo University Hospital between April 2012 and March 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Univariate analysis indicated no significant differences in the types of antipsychotics administered to patients who were, versus those who were not, rehospitalized; however, the former group were significantly older (47.8 ± 12.4 years vs 40.2 ± 12.9 years, respectively, P = .014) and had longer durations of illness. The total score of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale was increased significantly in those who were rehospitalized. However, only the score for the item “anxiety” was significantly greater at the time of rehospitalization compared with that recorded at last discharge (4.00 ± 1.45 vs 2.00 ± 0.72, respectively, P < .001). Age and anxiety may be associated with rehospitalization. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2020;50(7):310–316.]

OBJECTIVES:Photosensitivity to ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation from sunlight is an important side effect of treatment with antipsychotic agents. However, the pathophysiology of drug-induced photosensitivity remains unclear. Recent studies demonstrated the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), annotated as carbonyl stress, to be associated with the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. In this study, we investigated the relationship among skin AGE levels, minimal response dose (MRD) with UVA for photosensitivity, and the daily dose of antipsychotic agents in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.METHODS:We enrolled 14 patients with schizophrenia and 14 healthy controls. Measurement of skin AGE levels was conducted with AGE scanner, a fluorometric method for assaying skin AGE levels. Measurement of MRD was conducted with UV irradiation device.RESULTS:Skin AGE levels and MRD at 24, 48, and 72 hr in patients with schizophrenia showed a higher tendency for photosensitivity than in the controls, but the difference was statistically insignificant. Multiple linear regression analysis using skin AGE levels failed to show any influence of independent variables. MRD did not affect skin AGE levels.CONCLUSIONS:Photosensitivity to UVA in patients with schizophrenia receiving treatment with antipsychotic agents might not be affected by skin AGE levels.

Objective: Universities support student clubs because the social and educational experiences acquired through the extracurricular activities are considered important to promote their humanity. In this study, we examined membership of clubs by medical students at Juntendo University over the 30-year Period of Heisei.

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident caused by the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 resulted in contamination in Namie and Iitate, located in Fukushima Prefecture. These villages are in mountainous areas where achieving decontamination by removing soil is difficult. However, washout by rain is expected. The mountainous land is eroded by rainfall, so the soil will flow out into rivers and ponds. We assumed that polluted soils would have accumulated in ponds, and investigated the sediment to evaluate the mountain decontamination ability of rainfall. Although the surface of the pond sediment was radioactive, highly contaminated layers that were expected to have formed due to heavy rain immediately after the accident were not found. We recognized that the separation of the contaminated soils based on the particulate mean size was carried out in the pond.

This literature review primarily aims to summarize our research, comprising both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, and discuss the possibility of using microinflammation-related biomarkers as peripheral biomarkers in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with schizophrenia. To date, several studies have been conducted on peripheral biomarkers to recognize the potential markers for the diagnosis of schizophrenia and to determine the state and effects of therapy in patients with schizophrenia. Research has established a correlation between carbonyl stress, an environmental factor, and the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia. In addition, studies on biomarkers related to these stresses have achieved results that are either replicable or exhibit consistent increases or decreases in patients with schizophrenia. For instance, pentosidine, an advanced glycation end product (AGE), is considerably elevated in patients with schizophrenia; however, low levels of vitamin B6 [ a detoxifier of reactive carbonyl compounds (RCOs)] have also been reported in some patients with schizophrenia. Another study on peripheral markers of carbonyl stress in patients with schizophrenia revealed a correlation of higher levels of glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs with higher neurotoxicity and lower levels of soluble receptors capable of diminishing the effects of AGEs. Furthermore, studies on evoked microinflammation-related biomarkers (e. g., soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1) have reported relatively consistent results, suggesting the involvement of microinflammation in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We believe that our cross-sectional and longitudinal studies as well as various previous inflammation marker studies that could be interpreted from several perspectives, such as mild localized encephalitis and microvascular disturbance, highlighted the importance of early intervention as prevention and distinguished the possible exclusion of inflammations in schizophrenia.

The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant caused widespread contamination in Fukushima Prefecture. The area was mainly contaminated with radioisotopes of iodine 131, cesium 134, and cesium 137. The surface soil has been removed in an attempt to decontaminate the evacuated area (1,150 km2). Rainfall erosion is believed to decontaminate mountains, so the surface soil has not been removed there. We thus investigated whether the mountains had been decontaminated by analyzing soil from the sedimentary layers found at the mouth of a stream that passes through these mountains. The volumeand radioactivity distributions of the sedimentary layers showed that the heavy rainfall right after the earthquake contained a large amount of radioactive cesium. We confirmed that most small soil particles, those with diameters less than 210 μm, were not deposited at intermediate positions as they were transported downstream. Hence, rainfall erosion is a very effective means of decontaminating the mountains.

Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, a specific activity inspection system is required to ensure that raw wood used for cultivating shiitake (Lentinus edodes) is safe. Although most radioactive materials adhere to tree bark, as of 2016, the current inspection method measures the specific activity of the whole log. To resolve issues with the current inspection method and contribute to the reconstruction of agriculture and forestry in the disaster area, we developed an inspection system to measure the specific activity of the bark without cutting the tree in the forest. The gamma-ray detector used in this system consisted of four radiation detection modules that could enclose the tree. The external surfaces of the four detectors were covered with lead to block background radiation from the environment. Log samples were analyzed by this system and by an HP-Ge semiconductor detector, and the results were compared. A quantification factor was determined to convert the counts measured by this system into the specific activity of the bark. The field test was conducted in the northern parts of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. The results confirmed that the system had reasonable measurement accuracy and could determine the direction from which radiocesium had been transported.

This literature review primarily aims to summarize our research, comprising both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, and discuss the possibility of using microinflammation-related biomarkers as peripheral biomarkers in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with schizophrenia. To date, several studies have been conducted on peripheral biomarkers to recognize the potential markers for the diagnosis of schizophrenia and to determine the state and effects of therapy in patients with schizophrenia. Research has established a correlation between carbonyl stress, an environmental factor, and the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia. In addition, studies on biomarkers related to these stresses have achieved results that are either replicable or exhibit consistent increases or decreases in patients with schizophrenia. For instance, pentosidine, an advanced glycation end product (AGE), is considerably elevated in patients with schizophrenia; however, low levels of vitamin B6 [a detoxifier of reactive carbonyl compounds (RCOs)] have also been reported in some patients with schizophrenia. Another study on peripheral markers of carbonyl stress in patients with schizophrenia revealed a correlation of higher levels of glyceraldehyde-derived AGEs with higher neurotoxicity and lower levels of soluble receptors capable of diminishing the effects of AGEs. Furthermore, studies on evoked microinflammation-related biomarkers (e.g., soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1) have reported relatively consistent results, suggesting the involvement of microinflammation in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. We believe that our cross-sectional and longitudinal studies as well as various previous inflammation marker studies that could be interpreted from several perspectives, such as mild localized encephalitis and microvascular disturbance, highlighted the importance of early intervention as prevention and distinguished the possible exclusion of inflammations in schizophrenia.

Objective: We aimed to investigate how primary care physicians (PCPs) in Japan use antipsychotics for treating the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in 2011 caused the widespread contamination of Fukushima Prefecture by radioactive cesium. The cesium radioisotopes are considered to have remained in the soil for seven years. We investigated this situation by analyzing soil from paddy fields in the area. We investigated the structure of soil particles using scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS) and autoradiogram (ARG). We estimated the percentage of clay in the soil based on its composition, and then obtained the radioactivity of the cesium radioisotopes for each soil particle size as a function of penetration. The cesium radioisotopes were exponentially distributed in soil containing a large proportion of clay. Hence, we confirmed that the quantity of clay in the soil is a very important factor with respect to the possibility of the resumption of agriculture in the restricted area.

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified >100 susceptibility loci for schizophrenia (SCZ) and demonstrated that SCZ is a polygenic disorder determined by numerous genetic variants but with small effect size. We conducted a GWAS in the Japanese (JPN) population (a) to detect novel SCZ-susceptibility genes and (b) to examine the shared genetic risk of SCZ across (East Asian [EAS] and European [EUR]) populations and/or that of trans-diseases (SCZ, bipolar disorder [BD], and major depressive disorder [MDD]) within EAS and between EAS and EUR (trans-diseases/populations). Among the discovery GWAS subjects (JPN-SCZ GWAS: 1940 SCZ cases and 7408 controls) and replication dataset (4071 SCZ cases and 54479 controls), both comprising JPN populations, 3 novel susceptibility loci for SCZ were identified: SPHKAP (Pbest = 4.1 × 10-10), SLC38A3 (Pbest = 5.7 × 10-10), and CABP1-ACADS (Pbest = 9.8 × 10-9). Subsequent meta-analysis between our samples and those of the Psychiatric GWAS Consortium (PGC; EUR samples) and another study detected 12 additional susceptibility loci. Polygenic risk score (PRS) prediction revealed a shared genetic risk of SCZ across populations (Pbest = 4.0 × 10-11) and between SCZ and BD in the JPN population (P ~ 10-40); however, a lower variance-explained was noted between JPN-SCZ GWAS and PGC-BD or MDD within/across populations. Genetic correlation analysis supported the PRS results; the genetic correlation between JPN-SCZ and PGC-SCZ was ρ = 0.58, whereas a similar/lower correlation was observed between the trans-diseases (JPN-SCZ vs JPN-BD/EAS-MDD, rg = 0.56/0.29) or trans-diseases/populations (JPN-SCZ vs PGC-BD/MDD, ρ = 0.38/0.12). In conclusion, (a) Fifteen novel loci are possible susceptibility genes for SCZ and (b) SCZ "risk" effect is shared with other psychiatric disorders even across populations.

Background/AimsInteraction of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) with amyloid‐β increases amplification of oxidative stress and plays pathological roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Oxidative stress leads to α‐synuclein aggregation and is also a major contributing factor in the pathogenesis of Lewy body dementias (LBDs). Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether RAGE gene polymorphisms were associated with AD and LBDs.MethodsFour single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—rs1800624, rs1800625, rs184003, and rs2070600—of the gene were analyzed using a case–control study design comprising 288 AD patients, 76 LBDs patients, and 105 age‐matched controls.ResultsLinkage disequilibrium (LD) examination showed strong LD from rs1800624 to rs2070600 on the gene (1.1 kb) in our cases in Japan. Rs184003 was associated with an increased risk of AD. Although there were no statistical associations for the other three SNPs, haplotypic analyses detected genetic associations between AD and the RAGE gene. Although relatively few cases were studied, results from the SNPs showed that they did not modify the risk of developing LBDs in the Japanese population.ConclusionOur findings suggested that polymorphisms in the RAGE gene are involved in genetic susceptibility to AD. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

More than 22,000,000 m3 of soil was contaminated with cesium (Cs) radioisotopes following the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. For site remediation, it is necessary to reduce this huge volume of contaminated soil. To achieve this, we investigated the distribution of contamination within soil particles. We measured the radioactivity distribution in soil particles using an autoradiogram (ARG) method, with a resolution of 50 × 50 μm, and also determined the elemental distributions with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The ARG showed that almost all particles were uniformly contaminated with Cs radioisotopes, while the elemental distributions indicated that the particles were clay aggregates. These results suggest that, by impacting contaminated particles with each other and classifying them, we can reduce the volume of contaminated soil.

PsychogeriatricsVolume 17, Issue 6 p. 520-521 LETTER TO THE EDITOR Medium-chain triglycerides given in the early stage of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease enhance memory function Ayako Kimoto, Ayako Kimoto Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorTohru Ohnuma, Tohru Ohnuma Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorAiko Toda, Aiko Toda Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorYuto Takebayashi, Yuto Takebayashi Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorRyoko Higashiyama, Ryoko Higashiyama Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorYuko Tagata, Yuko Tagata Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorMasanobu Ito, Masanobu Ito Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorTsuneyoshi Ota, Tsuneyoshi Ota Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorNobuto Shibata, Nobuto Shibata Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorHeii Arai, Heii Arai Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this author Ayako Kimoto, Ayako Kimoto Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorTohru Ohnuma, Tohru Ohnuma Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorAiko Toda, Aiko Toda Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorYuto Takebayashi, Yuto Takebayashi Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorRyoko Higashiyama, Ryoko Higashiyama Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorYuko Tagata, Yuko Tagata Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorMasanobu Ito, Masanobu Ito Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorTsuneyoshi Ota, Tsuneyoshi Ota Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorNobuto Shibata, Nobuto Shibata Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this authorHeii Arai, Heii Arai Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University Alzheimer's Disease Project, Juntendo University, Tokyo, JapanSearch for more papers by this author First published: 18 April 2017 https://doi.org/10.1111/psyg.12257Citations: 9Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume17, Issue6November 2017Pages 520-521 RelatedInformation