Medical Journal Club with Dr. Takuji Shirasawa

About Medical Journal Club with Dr. Takuji Shirasawa

This Channel Presents the Update of Medical Journal on Regenerative Medicine, AntiAging Medicine, and Longevity Medicine.

Publisher

Takuji Shirasawa, MD

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 May 2026

Latest episode

6 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

26 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Jul 2026

   School refusal behavior in children and adolescents: a five-year narrative review of clinical significance and psychopathological profiles

   The aim of the study was to explore the clinical significance of school refusal behavior, its negative impact on psychological well-being of children and adolescents and its relationship with the most common psychopathological conditions during childhood and adolescence (e.g. neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric disorders). School refusal behavior refers to a distressing condition experienced by children and adolescents that compromise regular school attendance and determine negative consequences on mental health and adaptive functioning. A narrative review of the literature published between January 2019 and March 2023 was conducted. Ten studies (n = 10) were included from a literature search of the electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, MedLine, and Cochrane Library. The results indicate that school refusal is highly present in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder due to the presence of behavioral problems and deficits in communication skills. As for psychiatric disorders, school refusal appears to be highly common in anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and somatic symptoms. We also found that school refusal behavior may be associated with various emotional and behavioral conditions that act as risk factors. Especially, but are not limited to, it may be associated with a diminished self-concept, exposure to cyberbullying, specific affective profiles and excessive technology usage. Our results indicate that school refusal is a condition with many clinical facets. It can be attributed to both vulnerability factors, both temperamental and relational, and to various psychopathological conditions that differ significantly from each other, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and psychiatric disorders. Recognizing these aspects can improve the implementation of patient-tailored therapeutic interventions that are consequently more likely to produce effective outcomes. The therapeutic intervention should facilitate the recognition of cognitive biases regarding school as a threatening environment, while regulating negative emotions associated with school attendance. Additionally, therapeutic intervention programs linked to social skill training and problem-solving training, conducted directly within the school setting, can enhance children’s abilities to cope with academic performance and social relationships, ultimately preventing school refusal. Keywords School phobia, Neurodevelopmental disorder, Psychiatric disorder, Bullying, School-based interventions

2. 

   3 Jul 2026

   Exploring the diversity of biological processes regulated by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, a pleiotropic molecule with therapeutic potential

   Glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent trophic factoressential for neuronal survival and function. Encoded by the GDNF gene,its mature protein arises from specific post-translational modifications andis secreted through distinct isoform-dependent pathways. Once released,GDNF binds to its receptors, GFRα1 and RET, activating downstream signalingcascades that regulate cell growth, differentiation, and survival. In thecentral nervous system, GDNF exerts protective effects on dopaminergicneurons—highlighted in Parkinson’s disease research—and shows promise formodulating schizophrenia, depression, and addiction. Beyond dopaminergicpathways, GDNF influences synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neuronsand supports GABAergic function. Glial cells also produce and respondto GDNF: astrocyte-derived GDNF can promote neuroprotection but alsomodulate microglial state and neuroinflammation. Other cell sources, suchas pericytes and endothelial cells, contribute to GDNF levels, impactingblood-brain and blood-nerve barrier permeability. Peripherally, GDNF is criticalfor sympathetic and parasympathetic neuron development, somatic sensoryneuron maintenance, and motor neuron reinnervation at the neuromuscularjunction. Finally, GDNF has been recently implicated in tumour biology,underscoring its multifaceted role at the interface between beneficial anddetrimental effects. Clinically, its therapeutic potential is being explored indifferent diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders and epilepsy. Inthis review, we will explore various aspects of GDNF biology and thenfocus our attention to the physiological mechanisms of GDNF-regulatedprocesses in the central and peripheral nervous system, concluding witha brief perspective related to its therapeutic potential for central nervoussystem disorders. A deeper knowledge of the mechanisms regulatingGDNF secretion and signaling, particularly the cellular source and thespecificity of the GDNF-engaged intracellular signaling pathways, couldFrontiers in Physiology 01 frontiersin.orgPorcari et al. 10.3389/fphys.2025.1618330be helpful to develop more precise therapeutic strategies for differentCNS diseases.

3. 

   2 Jul 2026

   Magnetic resonance and dopamine transporter imaging for the diagnosis of Parkinson´s disease:

   Background: the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) can be challenging, especially in the early stages, albeit its updated and validated clinical criteria. Recent developments on neuroimaging in PD, altogether with its consolidated role of excluding secondary and other neurodegenerative causes of parkinsonism, provide more confidence in the diagnosis across the different stages of the disease. This review highlights current knowledge and major recent advances in magnetic resonance and dopamine transporter imaging in aiding PD diagnosis. Objective: This study aims to review current knowledge about the role of magnetic resonance imaging and neuroimaging of the dopamine transporter in diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. Methods: We performed a non-systematic literature review through the PubMed database, using the keywords “Parkinson”, “magnetic resonance imaging”, “diffusion tensor”, “diffusion-weighted”, “neuromelanin”, “nigrosome-1”, “single-photon emission computed tomography”, “dopamine transporter imaging”. The search was restricted to articles written in English, published between January 2010 and February 2022. Results: The diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease remains a clinical diagnosis. However, new neuroimaging biomarkers hold promise for increased diagnostic accuracy, especially in earlier stages of the disease. Conclusion: Futurevalidation of new imaging biomarkers bring the expectation of an increased neuroimaging role in the diagnosis of PD in the following years. Keywords: Parkinson Disease; Parkinsonian Disorders; Diffusion Tensor Imaging; Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography ComputedTomography; Melanins; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

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