JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)====================================================================================================================================1

JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)

Greetings from Vas-Cog Japan Society
Koji Abe, MD, PhD (President)	
 There is an explosive expansion of dementia

abnormality is the most important factor forpatients in Japan, Asia, and in the world, where

MCI subjects converting into AD, regardless ofthe societies are quickly ageing. Among them,

PIB-based Aß deposit positive or negative.

Japan is now the only country of super-aged

CAA (cerebral amyloid angiopathy) is anothersociety with the elder people (≧65 years old)emerging topics with advanced MRI detection

more than 20% of the general population in thetechnologies.

country, followed by many developed countries

Based on such background (picture below),

and even by many developing countries. The

Vas-Cog Japan society now launched forsuper-aged society will be the world problem in

elucidating

the near future we are actually facing.

development and vascular dementia. Our

vascularcontribution

toADAmong many subtypes of dementia, AD

society is interested in many vascular risk

occupies more than 60%, followed by MCI, VD,

factors such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia

DLB and FTD. However, within the late elderly(dyslipidemia), diabetes mellitus, metabolic

dementia patients (≧75 years old), AD occupies

syndrome, small vessel disease and microvessel

more than 70%, because AD is the completely

disease for parts of AD mechanisms andage-dependent disease. With the increase of theimportant risks for MCI into AD conversion.

number of later elderly AD patients, their

Our society was originally established as a

MRI-based white matter lesions become morenational symposium on this Vas-Cog field

evident and even autopsy studies proved(since 2010), and now newly launched as an

common presence of vascular abnormalities. Of

official academic society which is parallelinterest is that cognitive function of AD downs

related to Vas-Cog Asia (Since 2012) andaccording to the severity of white matter change,

Vas-Cog World (Since 2002). I hope you towhile PD does not, suggesting that AD is more

actively join our society for fighting against

sensitive than PD for the presence of whitedementia in aged societies.

matter changes. Recent subanalysis of ADNI

October 1, 2014

also demonstrated that presence of white matter

	
	
	

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JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)

VAS-COG JAPAN 2014 report
Department of Neurology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine
Hidekazu Tomimoto, MD，PhD
VAS-COG JAPAN 2014 meeting was held

ischemic

vasculardementia

andgenetic

in Kyoto Japan on 2014, Aug. 23. This

vascular dementia including CADASIL andconference is the 5th meeting and the 1st one

CARASIL. Vascular dementia has an unclear

held outside Tokyo area. The president of thisdifferentiation from Alzheimer’s disease andconference is Prof. Toshiki Mizuno from themoreover, vascular risk factors themselves

department of Neurology, Kyoto Prefecturalcontribute to the development of Alzheimer’s

University and me. There were 36 oral anddisease, thereby implying a closer interrelation

posterbetween these two entities.

presentations,speciallectures,symposium and educational talks, and all

In special lectures, Prof. Wallin had talks on

audience enjoyed fruitful discussions. Kyoto isbiomarkers of vascular dementia. He is the firsta fantastic city with long history and scientific

who reported BBB abnormalities in vascularatmosphereanddementia and indicated an increased albumin

productive debates. It is very hot and humid

ratio in cerebrospinal fluid. Subsequently, Prof.

every year in Kyoto, but exceptionally we had a

Hiroshi Mori, president of Japan Society for

relatively comfortable weather with a light rain.

Dementia Research, has reported a recent

On the day before, Prof. Wallin A fromprogress in Alzheimer research. After theGothenburg University in Sweden has made a

conference, there was a ceremony for young

precongress seminar on MCI in the neighboring

investigator’s award and an announcement on

hotel. On the 23th morning, we had oral and

VasCog world 2015 and its joint conference ofposter presentations, and in the afternoon, a

VasCog-J 2015 by Prof. Koji Abe, president of

symposium with the title of “How we can

VasCog-J. Finally, we cordially thank all

diagnose vascular dementia”. Four speakers had

participants and contributors for the success of

introduced diagnostic criteria on vascular

this VAS-COG JAPAN 2014 conference.

cognitivewhichpermits

impairment(VCI),

sinceresubcortical

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JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)

Reports of VAS-COG Japan 2014
Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine
Toshiki Mizuno，MD, PhD
The 5th annual meeting of VAS COG Japan

ones that were held in both rooms．Dr. Shinya

2014 was co-organized by Professor Hidekazu

Kawabata lectured on the neuropsychologicalTomimoto in Mie University and me on 23th of

background of strange symptoms in patients

August in 2014. While previous meetings werewith dementia; Professor Kenichi Meguro onheld in Tokyo, it was the first trial in Kyoto.

the issue of diagnosis, background of executive

Compared with Tokyo, Kyoto is too hot anddysfunction,

humid especially in August. Therefore, I was

vascular dementia; Professor Wallin on theafraid that researchers might hesitate to attend

cerebrospinal fluid aspects of cerebral small

the meeting. Fortunately, however, we felt a

vessel disease. We also discussed the criteria oflittle cooler than usual in Kyoto this summer,

vascular dementia, particularly mixed types ofand as many as 121 researchers including thedementia as well as CADASIL and CARASIL

members living in Kansai area attended thein the main symposium. Young researchers

meeting and discussed vascular dementia.

presented their new research in the morning

rehabilitationinsubcortical

The main subject of the meeting was on

session and poster session. Their nice trial must

how to diagnose vascular dementia, which was

be important seeds for the future research about

discussed in the main symposium in the firstvascular dementia.

place. We tried more discussion on the subject

After the enriching day, we enjoyedfrom various points of view: such as symptoms,

delicious beef from Matsuzaka. I hope that thisbiochemistry, neuroimaging, blood supply, and

VAS-COGJapan

meeting

blood brain barrier. I could not hear all lectures,increasingly

with

more

but still I’m sure about the abundant intelligent

contributes to VAS-COG world 2015 in Tokyo．

willdevelopresearchersandProfessor Mizuno, Dr. Uemura as the winner of young investigator awards, and Professor Tomimoto
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JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)

The 6th Organizers’ Meeting for Japan VAS-COG was held on the 23rdof August, 2014 in Mielparque, Kyoto, with 16 organizers.
Osaka University
Ryuichi Morishita, MD, PhD
At this meeting, conference organization and

The titles of the meeting were “The Plan for
Future Conferences,” “Preparation for Forming

cooperation will be discussed.

Full-time

Mr. Hiroshi Mori who is the executive

Secretariat.” Following is a report of theadvisor for this society, Dr. Kenji Nakajima

meeting, with the topics discussed and plans(Honored

approved.

Medical University) and Dr. Taihei MiyagawaaSociety,”and“Entrustinga

Professor

in

Kyoto

Prefectural[Plans for future conferences](former psychiatry professor in Kumamoto

The 6th conference (2015) organizer:

University) were nominated as special advisors

Dr. Nobuya Kawabata, Dr. Shuhei Yamaguchi

due to their great contributions in this field.

*19th September 2015 at Tokyo Fashion Town

2. Vas-Cog Asia (APSC2015)

Building in parallel with VAS-COG World

2nd October 2015 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The 7th conference (2016) organizer:[Membership fee]Dr. Masatsugu Horiuchi, Dr. Masahito Yamada

Price will increase to JPY 5,000 from the 1st of

The 8th conference (2017) organizer:

April 2015 from JPY 2,000 currently.

Dr. Shinichiro Uchiyama, Dr. Issei Komuro[Forming a Society]

The 9th conference (2018) organizer:

Necessary requirement to apply for

Dr. Katsuya Urakami, Dr. Etsuro Matsubara

authorization of the Japan Science Counsel:

The 10th conference (2019) organizer:* Purpose = increase scientific/technical

Dr. Masahiro Akishita, Dr. Yoshio Ikeda/learning basic and clinical research

Dr. Etsuro Matsubara, Dr. Masahiro Akishita* Membership fees managed by researchersand Dr. Yoshio Ikeda were approved to be the* Membership numbering over 100

organizers.

* Must issue a specialized periodical at least(For future conferences, one chairperson will beannually

selected)(Digital format is acceptable, abstracts will not[International Conferences]be accepted)

1. Vas-Cog World 2015:

It was decided to refer to the group as theDr. Ken Nagata, Dr. Koji Abe for the chairs.

VAS-COG Society from this point forward.

*It will be held in the Tokyo Fashion Town

*The

Building from 17th -19th September 2015.

becoming a society, Dr. Katsuya Urakami,
10

chairperson

for

the

promotionofJAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)

explained the above-mentioned requirements.

[Name list]* The chairperson for increasing membership●Executive Advisor

andHiroshi Mori (Osaka City University)

publicrelations,

Dr.

Haruo

Hanyu,

discussed present membership with a view●President

toward asking for support for increased

Koji Abe (Okayama University)

membership and membership fees.

●Executive Directors*The chief editor of the academic magazine, Dr.

Masahiro Akishita (The University of Tokyo)

Mikio Shoji explained starting an academic

Yoshio Ikeda (Gunma University)

periodical in e-letters.

Shinichiro Uchiyama (International University*The chairperson of financial affairs, Dr.

of Health and Welfare)

Ryuichi Morishita discussed a need for an

Katsuya Urakami (Tottori University)

increase in membership and collection of

Nobuya Kawabata (Yachiyo Hospital)

membership fees, and the necessity for auditing

Issei Komuro (The University of Tokyo)of the bookkeeping.

Mikio Shoji (Hirosaki University)

As an auditor, Dr. Etsuro

Matsubara was approved.

Yasuo Terayama (Iwate Medical University)

A support member

system should be created, and movement

Hidekazu Tomimoto (Mie University)

toward greater financial strength.

Ken Nagata (Research Institute for Brain and*Regarding the full time secretariat: The

Blood Vessels)

President of the Secretariat, Dr. Ryuichi

Haruo Hanyu (Tokyo Medical University)

Morishita suggested a contract for entrustment

Toshiya Fukui (Kawasaki Memorial Hospital)

to Conet Ltd., as the full time secretariat at

Masatsugu Horiuchi (Ehime University)

JPY583,102-/yearly base.

Etsuro Matsubara (Oita University)

This plan for

management of membership and collecting

Toshiki Mizuno (Kyoto Prefectural University

membership fees was subsequently approved.

of Medicine)This contract is for 4 years.

Shokei Mitsuyama (Kumamoto University)*Regarding board members: All organizers will

Ryuichi Morishita (Osaka University)

become the board of directors.

Shuhei Yamaguchi (Shimane University)

The board of

directors will later recommend 3-5 councilors.

Masahito Yamada (Kanazawa University)

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JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)

An impression on VAS-COG Asia
Professor, Clinical Research Center for Medicine,International University of Health and Welfare
Director, Center for Brain and Cerebral Vessels,
Sanno Hospital and Sanno Medical Center
Shinichiro Uchiyama, MD, PhD
The VAS-COG Asia was held as a jointof shortening health life span, which haveconference with the Asia Pacific Stroke

been widely recognized to share vascularConference (APSC) 2014 in the Taipei

risk factors in the background, andInternational Convention Center in thethereby relationships between dementia

afternoon on September 12. This joint

and cerebrovascular disease have been

conference was started when I organizedpaid more attention than ever, which may

APSC 2012 as the President in Tokyo inlead to an increase in the number ofcooperation with Prof. Koji Abe, and thisparticipants. In addition, since dementia

was the third conference following theand stroke are steeply increasing in Asia,

second joint conference with APSC 2013

which

in Hong Kong. The VAS-COG/APSC joint

population, the role of VAS-COG Asia will

conference appears to be very successful.

definitely

Because, the number of participants isimportant in future. I hope many top

rapidly increasing, which was only ten in

leaders of dementia research as well as

2012, but 50 in 2013, and over 100 in thisyoung

conference. The biggest advantage of thisinterested in this field will attend thejoint conference is that the participants

conference, which will make a greatfrom many Asian countries can enjoy

contribution to the level up of thevarious active exchanges in scientific

VAS-COG Asia. The APSC 2015 will be

programs and social activities between

held on October 2-4 and the VAS-COG

the VAS-COG and APSC. The VAS-COG

Asia 2015 on October 2 in Kuala Lumpur,

Asia 2014 was very exciting because of a

Malaysia. The city is safe and thevariety of programs including pathology,

accessibility is good with many resort

physiology,

facilities. The venue is the five stars hotel

epidemiology,

prevention,

occupies

60%

becomephysicians

more

and

and

world
more

researchers

Shangri-la.

conference

Conference of APSC 2015 and VAS-COG

activediscussions.

Dementia and stroke are leading causes

Asia 2015.
13

join

the

imaging, awareness, education, and casewithPlease

of

the

Joint

JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)

Welcome to the VAS-COG J 2015
Neurology, Yachiyo Hospital
Shinya Kawabata, MD, PhD
Department of Neurology, Shimane University Hostpital
Shuhei Yamaguchi, MD, PhD
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
We are pleased to welcome you to thepoint of vascular pathology. In this conference

VAS-COG J 2015 to be held at Tokyo Fashion

we plan to have symposiums about these topics.

Town, September 19, 2015. Fortunately the

Furthermore, neuroimaging techniques such as

VAS-COGheldfunctional and structural MRI, SPECT, and PET

simultaneously at the same location this year.

have increasingly contributed to early diagnosis,

We have a plan that the registration fee for themonitor of clinical course, and drug therapy for

VAS-COG J will be free if registering to thedementia. We plan to invite an international

international conference. Please attend the bothexpert for these topics.

World

will

be

also

meetings this year.

Originally the VAS-COG J started as a

Recent cumulative evidence suggests ascientific meeting in 2010, and many researches

significant contribution of vascular pathology tofrom basic and clinical areas have participatedAlzheimer’s disease. Epidemiology and risk

every year. In 2014 the organizing committee

factors for dementia demonstrated common

decided that the meeting becomes a scientificpathophysiology between Alzheimer’s diseasesociety publishing an official journal. There are

and vascular dementia. Specifically cerebral

still several obstacles for the goal, but we thinksmall vessel disease such as cerebral amyloid

most important thing is to stimulate anangiopathy is a pathology located in a

exchange of new ideas and lead youngwatershed of Alzheimer’s disease and vascularresearchers toward future breakthrough. The

dementia. The development of therapeutic drugs

VAS-COG J 2015 will be a first important stepfor Alzheimer’s disease is energetically carried

to accomplish this goal. We are looking forward

out based on an amyloid hypothesis, but it is

to seeing you in Tokyo.

important to approach the disease from the15

JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)“Prospects of VAS-COG and Dementia Studies”
Professor, Department of Neuroscience, Osaka City University, Graduate School of Medicine
Advisor Hiroshi Mori, MD, PhD

At the seminar held in 2010, I introduced

tomography revealed amyloids in the preclinicalthe development of new drugs through astage. Studies testing the validity of candidate

presentation entitled “Severe competition in the

drugs other than solanezumab for use as

developmentoftherapeutic agents are also underway. These

Subsequently,

development

therapeutic

agents.”includecrenezumab,

which

recognizes

therapeutic agents was stalled, and companies

amyloid-β

oligomers;

antibodies

suchwere hesitant to develop new drugs for

BAN2401,an

Alzheimer’s disease, considering it a high-risk

antibody; and gantenerumab. Crenezumab isbusiness. In that situation, administration of aused in the Alzheimer’s Prevention Initiative

monoclonal

antibody called solanezumab,

Trial performed in a large group of families

which had no effect on moderate or severe

with the same mutation in Columbia, Southsymptoms, proved effective for patients with

America. Solanezumab and gantenerumab are

mild symptoms in the EXPEDITION studies).

scheduled to be used in the Dominantly

On the basis of this finding, the possibility that

Inheritedtherapeutic interventions were performed too

Trialslate was discussed, and clinical trials are now

Alzheimer’s disease. DIAN-TTU, in particular,

designed to examine patients in the early stage

is expected to be a highly accurate trial becauseof the disease, including in some cases,

theindividuals in the preclinical or prodromal

determined. A trial of apolipoprotein E allele

stages.

ϵ4/ϵ4 homozygotes is also being planned by theofalmostall

Two new clinical trials using solanezumab
EXPEDITION

timingNetwork-Therapeutic(DIAN-TTU)

of

for

administration

familial

would

be

It is worth emphasizing that the new drugs
have been chosen on the basis of a new etiology

administration of solanezumab, and the other,in all the clinical studies. Familial Alzheimer’scalledindisease develops in 100% of people with

Asymptomatic Alzheimer's Disease Trial (A4mutations (penetrance). Therefore, time is an

Trial), would use the same antibody forimportant factor, and it is desirable to treat thepreventive interventions in individuals ≥70

disease as quickly as possible. In June 2013, theyears of age in whom positron emission

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

Anti-Amyloid

involves

Unitamyloid

early

the

study

Alzheimer’s

fibrousBanner Alzheimer Institute.

are currently under consideration. A new trial oftheanterioras

Treatment

17

JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)

announced a plan for the DIAN-Japan Study as

mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia inthe latest clinical trial. It could be considered

terms of lifestyle-related diseases. However,the Japanese version of DIAN-TTU. In themost of these drugs covered by insurance tend

future, clinical studies in Japan are expected toto be replaced by generic drugs. It is predictedadvance greatly, as in Europe and the Unitedthat the issues related to resources for theStates. In clinical trials for vascular dementia, it

promotion of clinical studies would also need tois important to also confirm the effects of drugs

be discussed.

covered by insurance for the control of diabetes
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 

日本脳血管･認知症学会(VAS-COG JAPAN)会則(1) 名称代表理事は理事の互選で選任され，任期は 2

	  本会は「日本脳血管と認知症学会

期 4 年とする．

（VAS-COG JAPAN）」と称する．

(4) 事業(2) 目的	  本会は年 1 回学術集会を開催する．学術	  本会は日本における血管性病変と認知症

集会は参加者の参加費で運営されるが，共との関連について幅広い視野から臨床的基催も可能である．

礎的研究を行い，併せて国際的な当該分野(5) 会費･会費

研究者との情報交流を通じて，認知症の原	  本会は，本会の趣旨に賛同する会員で構因や病態における血管性病変の関与を明ら成され，年会費 2,000 円は 2015 年 3 月 31 日

かにすることで創薬の可能性も探り，認知までとし、同年 4 月 1 日以降は 5,000 円とす症研究の新しい分野の発展に資するためにる．本会の会計年度は毎年 4 月 1 日から，設立された．

翌年 3 月 31 日とする．

(3) 構成(6) 発足期日	  本会は複数名の理事および評議員によっ	  本会は 2014 年 8 月 23 日に発足し，本会て運営され，代表理事長と事務局を置く．

側も同時に施行された．

18

JAPANESE SOCIETY OF VASCULAR COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT(2014 No.1)

編集後記
弘前大学神経内科	  	
 東海林幹夫	  	 	  VAS-COG JAPAN News and Letter の第 1

両面から解明し，国際的な規模でこの分野号をお届けします．2010 年に開始された日の発展を目指しています．本 News and Letter

本血管性認知障害研究会は毎年参加者が増が機関誌として，本学会の発展に貢献する

加し発展してきましたが，新たに日本脳血ことを期待しております．編集者として，

管･認知症学会として発足しました．本号でこの様な発展のお手伝いができることを大はこの間の経緯と今後の展望，予定などを変光栄に存じております．学会会員皆様の掲載しました．Common disease として増加ご協力をどうぞお願い申し上げます．

している認知症を血管性因の基礎と臨床の

Editors Note
Hirosaki University Mikio Shoji MD., PhD.,
Here, we bring you the first issue of
VAS-COG JAPAN News and Letter.

presented.

We aimed basic and clinical studyThisof growing dementia as common disease fromsociety for scientific study of vascular factor of

the aspect of vascular factors to contributedementia stared at 2010, developing withinternal development of this field.

We are

At 4th VAS-COG in

hoping for contribution of this News and Letter

2014, we decided to establish this association asas the official journal of VAS-COG JAPAN. I

official academic society,” VAS-COG JAPAN”.

am very honored to edit this journal.

In this issue, background, aim, landscape,like to sincere help by all association members.

growing participants.

schedule, byelaw, and board members are19

I would