Program-Specific Associate Professor Shu-ichi Matsuzawa / Hodaka Yamakado
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) is one of the neurodegenerative diseases and is the most intractable diseases among the known rare diseases that cause various nervous system symptoms such as movement disorders and autonomic nervous system disorders. Although there are more than 10,000 patients with MSA in Japan, the pathogenesis of the disease has not yet been fully understood, and no curative treatment has been established. The Department of Therapeutics of Multiple System Atrophy aims to elucidate the pathogenesis of MSA and develop its treatment.
Research and Education
We will elucidate the molecular mechanisms of multiple system atrophy (MSA) pathogenesis, create animal models, and search for biomarkers to establish early diagnostic methods. Based on the knowledge obtained from these studies, we aim to develop therapeutic methods using multiple approaches, such as small molecule drugs, nucleic acid medicines, and cell therapies. We will also actively collaborate with the Multiple System Atrophy Registry, in which our Department of Clinical Neurology participates, to overcome clinical challenges.
Recent Publications
- Uemura N, Marotta NP, Ara J et al. α-Synuclein aggregates amplified from patient-derived Lewy bodies recapitulate Lewy body diseases in mice. Nat Commun. 2023 Oct 28;14(1):6892
- Ueda J, Uemura N, Ishimoto T et al. Ca2+ -Calmodulin-Calcineurin Signaling Modulates α-Synuclein Transmission.Mov Disord. 2023 Jun;38(6):1056-1067
- Kaji S, Maki T, Ueda J et al. BCAS1-positive immature oligodendrocytes are affected by the α-synuclein-induced pathology of multiple system atrophy. Acta Neuropathol Commun. 2020 Jul 29;8(1):120
- Taguchi T, Ikuno M, Hondo M et al. α-Synuclein BAC transgenic mice exhibit RBD-like behaviour and hyposmia: a prodromal Parkinson’s disease model. Brain. 2020 Jan 1;143(1):249-265
- Uemura N, Uemura MT, Lo A et al. Slow Progressive Accumulation of Oligodendroglial Alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) Pathology in Synthetic α-Syn Fibril-Induced Mouse Models of Synucleinopathy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. 2019 Oct 1;78(10):877-890.
Laboratory
Specially Appointed Professor : Takashi Yamamura
Program-Specific Associate Professor : Shu-ichi Matsuzawa
Program-Specific Associate Professor : Hodaka Yamakado
Program-Specific Senior Lecturer : Norihito Uemura