Press conference held for the research findings relating Minamata Disease

The health effects of mercury exposure still take place worldwide. Dr. Tetsuya Takahashi, Assistant Professor and Dr. Takayoshi Shimohata, Associate Professor (both in Dept. of Neurology) demonstrated for the first time, using a rat model, that methylmercury induces blood-brain barrier damage via upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. Intravenous administration of anti-VEGF neutralizing antibody mildly improved the symptoms of a rat model. These findings provide clues as to the underlying cause and therapeutic development of Minamata disease.
The press conference for Dr. Shimohata and Dr. Takahashi's research findings was held at BRI on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

■See the details of research.

■Dr. Shimohata (right) and Dr. Takahashi (left) at the press conference