Brain and Nerve最新文献

Multitasking ability has become indispensable in modern information-based societies. However, the question whether interindividual variations in multitasking ability can serve as a strong predictor of working memory performance and even general intelligence has received less attention. This review initially explores how these three seemingly disparate cognitive components-which operate at different levels-are interrelated and, then, critically examines the "brain training" boom of the 2000s that was characterized by claims that multitasking training could enhance general intelligence.

Taro Okamoto, a famous Japanese artist, theorist, and writer developed Parkinson's disease during the later years of life. Facial pareidolia associated with Parkinson's disease led to the idea of "Glass with Face." Color vision impairment and reduced contrast sensitivity affected the use of colors in his paintings, and the focus of his creative activities shifted from painting to ceramics and sculpture. In this study, we investigated the effects of anti-Parkinson drugs on Okamoto's creativity. Additionally, we have discussed the etiology of acute respiratory failure that led to Okamoto's death.

Franz Joseph Haydn was a prominent musician in the late 1700s. Researchers have speculated that Haydn may have suffered from subcortical cerebrovascular disease. These interpretations, based on biographical and other sources, might be accurate. However, given that he lived to the advanced age of 77 years, it is likely he experienced multiple pathological changes in his brain, as is commonly believed. It seems unlikely that a great man would rest in peace, because even 200 years after his death, significant interest in his chronic illnesses is still present.

This review discusses the concept of the Art Brut and its origin, as proposed by Dubuffet, along with its unique development in Japan. In Japan, Art Brut has evolved in distinctive ways, particularly in psychiatry. Notably, Art Brut is not synonymous with art created by individuals with mental disorders. Instead, it refers to raw, creative art uninfluenced by existing cultural norms and conventions. Art Brut works often have a psychiatric background, but this is not a defining feature. This review highlights the work of Yuzo Saeki, a prominent Japanese artist associated with Art Brut, and draws comparisons with Jean Fautrier. Finally, this review examines the creativity and originality of individuals with mental illnesses, particularly schizophrenia, from a neuroscientific perspective. It explores genetic factors, brain function alterations, and the interaction between mental illness and creativity in the context of Art Brut. Art Brut offers a deeply moving artistic experience from a psychiatric perspective, and art therapy may play a significant role in the treatment and welfare of individuals with mental disorders. Significant aspects of this field remain unexplored, and further research and development are highly anticipated.

In addition to his versatility in painting and art, Leonardo da Vinci was extremely passionate about medicine, particularly the study of the brain. He investigated the ventricles of the brain in great detail in an attempt to locate the seat of the soul in the brain (senso comune). Pathography on Leonardo da Vinci suggests that his ability to use mirror writing and supposed attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may have contributed to his extraordinary creativity and tendency to be unable to complete his work. It is presumed that Leonardo da Vinci died of a stroke; however, it is speculated that ulnar or median nerve palsy led to right upper limb paralysis that prevented him from painting in his later years.

The musician Ludwig van Beethoven suffered from progressive hearing loss and abdominal pain, both of which can be explained by lead intoxication. With genomic analyses, Begg et al. (2023) have confirmed that the five locks of hair attributed to Beethoven were authentic. Moreover, the possible cause of his severe liver disease was revealed. Rifai et al. (2024) have observed unusually high lead levels in authenticated locks of hair from Beethoven. Based on the new pieces of evidence, we conclude that his hearing loss and gastrointestinal complaints were caused by plumbism.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal disease of motor neuron. Although riluzole and edaravone have been approved for the treatment of ALS, it remains a lethal disease that causes rapid motor impairment, and there is an urgent need to develop more effective treatments. Advances in understanding the pathomechanisms of ALS, efficient clinical trial design, and research support programs have led to many clinical trials for ALS both domestically and internationally.

This narrative summary presents the author's 40-year experience as a clinical neurologist who treated patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Five representative cases from the author's first 20 years at Chiba University Hospital and its affiliated hospitals were selected, including a patient of respiratory-onset who was ignorantly extubated by a female relative for patient's distress to the intratracheal tube. Based on the latter 20 years of experience at the author's current hospital, the author first describes a famous patient with ALS who was being treated at this medical center before the author was assigned to this hospital and fought against ALS for 31 years before eventually succumbing to total locked-in syndrome. Thereafter, the author has summarized the ages, sex, phenotypes, comorbidities, responses to the available treatment options, and total number of years that have elapsed for the 24 patients that the author initially examined in the outpatient clinic. In terms of diagnostic delay, the author describes "foot drop" in patients who developed lower limb symptoms, and hoarseness in those who developed bulbar palsy. Furthermore, the author discusses issues regarding family caregiving capacity, patient's and families' understanding of notification, and medical management (i.e., medications, rehabilitation for ADL, nutrition and respiration, complications of frontotemporal dementia, and medical cooperation with other clinics and hospitals).

Advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled the extraction of information such as perception and motor intention from neural activities, which is called neural decoding. A recent study demonstrated that mental imagery can be reconstructed from brain activity measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging. This article describes the method of mental image reconstruction and the underlying technologies that support it.

Palliative care in Japan is available mainly for patients with cancer, and palliative care specialists do not have sufficient experience with management of palliation in persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Treatment of ALS symptoms is an important component of palliative care, and it is important that neurologists and home care physicians familiarize themselves with palliative care for ALS in consultation with palliative care specialists. Notably, the use of opioids at the end of life differs from that of pain relief for cancer. Physicians should be mindful that opioids are not a perfect solution for palliative care of persons with ALS.