Nagoya University · Medicine
Professor Nagahide Takahashi's research lab focuses on the genetic and neurobiological underpinnings of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, with a particular emphasis on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), schizophrenia, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The lab investigates polygenic risk scores, genetic risk factors such as NRG1 and KMO, and molecular pathways involving neuregulin-1 signaling and kynurenic acid metabolism. It also explores neurophysiological mechanisms, including autonomic nervous system regulation and cholinergic modulation of cardiac function. The research integrates human genetics, molecular neuroscience, and translational studies to uncover shared biological mechanisms across psychiatric and neurodevelopmental conditions.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
In this study, the ASD PRS was associated with ASD traits among children from the general population. Genetic risks for ASD might be associated with delays in some neurodevelopmental domains, such as gross motor and receptive language skills.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02918318 . Registered: 28 September 2016.
Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic mental disorder, in which both genetic and environmental factors have a role in the development of the disease. Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) is one of the most established genetic risk factors for schizophrenia, and disruption of NRG1 signaling has been reported in this disorder. We reported previously that NRG1/ErbB4 signaling is inhibited by receptor phosphotyrosine phosphatase-β/ζ (RPTP β/ζ) and that the gene encoding RPTPβ/ζ (PTPRZ1) is genetically associated wi
Several lines of evidence suggest that metabolic changes in the kynurenic acid (KYNA) pathway are related to the etiology of schizophrenia. The inhibitor of kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) is known to increase KYNA levels, and the KMO gene is located in the chromosome region associated with schizophrenia, 1q42-q44. Single-marker and haplotype analyses for 6-tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of KMO were performed (cases = 465, controls = 440). Significant association of rs2275163 with s
Vagal stimulation modulates adrenergic neurotransmission at pre- and postjunctional sites. The purpose of this study was to test whether such multilevel cholinergic inhibition depressed sinus nodal automaticity and atrioventricular (AV) nodal conduction (A-H interval) in open-chest dogs anesthetized with chloralose. We compared the inhibitory effects of vagal stimulation when sinus nodal automaticity and AV nodal conduction were enhanced by bilateral stellate ganglia stimulation with comparable
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder, and excessive daytime sleepiness is frequently observed in ADHD patients. Excessive daytime sleepiness is also a core symptom of narcolepsy and essential hypersomnia (EHS), which are also heritable conditions. Psychostimulants are effective for the symptomatic control of ADHD (primary recommended intervention) and the two sleep disorders (frequent off-label use). However, the common biological mechan
The effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on NaCl transport was investigated in the isolated microperfused hamster ascending thin limb of Henle's loop by measuring transepithelial voltage (Vt) and transmural 22Na+ and 36Cl- fluxes. In the presence of a transmural NaCl concentration gradient (100 mM higher in the lumen), Vt was 8.4 +/- 0.4 mV. Addition of 1 nM AVP to the basolateral solution increased Vt to 9.6 +/- 0.4 mV, which corresponds to an increase in the Cl- to Na+ permselectivity ratio (P
PP is efficacious for Asian patients with schizophrenia at the dosing regimen approved in other countries, with a similar safety and tolerability profile.
PPD persistence negatively affected children's internalizing problems but was not long-lasting. Future studies are needed to identify protective factors against PPD persistence in children's psychological problems.
OROS MPH in a dose range of 18-72 mg once daily was effective and well-tolerated in adult patients with ADHD.
Whether longer screen time in infancy increases risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and ADHD has long been debated, but no causal relationship between the two remains has been established. Using ongoing longitudinal cohort data, we found that in children 24 to 40 months of age, the genetic risk of ASD was associated with longer screen time and that of ADHD with an increase in screen time over time. These data suggest that prolonged screen time may n
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