About the Authors

Satoshi Yoshimura

Affiliation Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Noriko Isobe

Affiliation Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Takuya Matsushita

Affiliation Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Katsuhisa Masaki

Affiliation Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Shinya Sato

Affiliation Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Yuji Kawano

Affiliation Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Hirofumi Ochi

Affiliation Department of Molecular and Genetic Medicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan

Jun-ichi Kira

kira@neuro.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp

Affiliation Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan

Competing Interests

Jun-ichi Kira is an advisory board member for Merck Serono and a consultant for Biogen Idec Japan. He has received payment for lectures from Bayer Schering Pharma, Cosmic Cooperation, and Biogen Idec Japan. Takuya Matsushita received a grant and payment for manuscript preparation and development of educational presentations from Bayer Schering Pharma, and also received a payment for the development of educational presentations from Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials. Jun-ichi Kira is a PLOS ONE Editorial Board member. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE Editorial policies and criteria.

Author Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: SY JK. Performed the experiments: SY NI TM YK SS. Analyzed the data: SY. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: SY NI TM KM SS YK HO JK. Wrote the paper: SY JK.