About

Dr. Takako Araki is an Associate Professor in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at the University of Minnesota. Her professional focus is dedicated to the quality improvement of pituitary perioperative patient care and the study of various pituitary disorders. Dr. Araki leads the Araki Lab, which conducts research related to pituitary function and dysfunction, including investigations into post-COVID pituitary dysfunction. Her work aims to enhance clinical outcomes and deepen understanding of pituitary disease mechanisms through both clinical and laboratory research approaches.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Internal medicine
• Endocrinology
• Biology
• Surgery
• Genetics
• Oncology
• Pediatrics
• Immunology
• Bioinformatics

Selected publications

• A Case of Acromegaly With Parasellar Meningioma With Oculomotor Palsy Responding to and Maintained With Oral Octreotide Therapy

  AACE Endocrinology and Diabetes · 2025-06-14

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Background/Objective: Meningiomas are the most frequently occurring primary central nervous system tumors. Recommended treatment options for large, growing, or symptomatic meningiomas typically involve surgical removal (when possible) and/or radiation therapy. There is no sufficient evidence of effective systemic therapies for recurrent meningioma. Case Report: A 65-year-old female, after 20 years of stability with acromegaly, presented to the emergency department with a sudden onset of blurring of vision and was found to have severe left oculomotor nerve palsy. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed an 11 × 9 × 9 mm enhancing homogenous dural-based mass within the posterior part of the left cavernous sinus and posterior clinoid process, displacing the left oculomotor nerve and abutting the internal carotid artery. Treatment with surgery or radiation was not considered as feasible due to the location of the mass and the patient's comorbidities at that time. Given that imaging showed a dural-based mass suggestive of meningioma, and acromegaly recurrence could not be excluded due to IGF-1 being at the upper end of normal, oral octreotide was increased from 40 mg to 80 mg daily, targeting both possible etiologies, with particular rationale based on known somatostatin receptor expression in meningioma. Discussion: Increased octreotide dosage in a patient with acromegaly effectively managed ocular motor palsy and reduced the size of meningioma. Conclusion: Current findings from our case may provide evidence for the potential use of somatostatin analogs in treating acromegaly patients diagnosed with meningiomas, particularly those cases that cannot be surgically removed, to alleviate certain neurological symptoms associated with the condition.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Genetic models of Cushing’s disease

  Pituitary · 2025-04-01

  reviewSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Biological roles of growth hormone/prolactin from an evolutionary perspective

  Endocrine Journal · 2024-01-01 · 4 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author

  Although growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) are usually recognized as pituitary hormones, their expression is not restricted to the adenohypophysis and can also be found in extra-pituitary tissues including placenta. Furthermore, GH, PRL, and their receptors structurally belong to the cytokine family of proteins, and indeed they have remarkable pleiotropic effects. In this review, we analyzed the biological roles of GH/PRL from an evolutionary perspective. We have recognized that the biological significance of GH/PRL can be summarized as follows: cytokines (metabokines) that regulate the shift of nutrients and even of whole bodies to live in the most appropriate environment(s) for conducting growth and reproduction. In this sense, the common keyword of the two metabokines is "shift" for environmental adaptation. Considering that these metabokines flexibly changed their biological roles, GH/PRL may have played important roles during vertebrate evolution.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 8524 Pituitary Hormone Dysregulation In Symptomatic Long COVID: A Multi-Center Observational Study

  Journal of the Endocrine Society · 2024-10-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Disclosure: S.L. Sims: None. A. Labadzhyan: None. Z. Chen: None. S. Kim: None. J. Brathwaite: None. L. Cullen: None. M. Koga: None. U. Cheliadinova: None. V. Hwe: None. D. Gomez: None. C. Andriakos: None. T. Melnik: None. E. Puig-Wong: None. S. Whelan: None. S. Cheng: None. S. Joung: None. Z. Abelev: None. C. Le: None. R. Zabner: None. Y. Kawakami: None. T. Araki: Consulting Fee; Self; Chiesi. Objective: Pituitary hormone dysregulation has been reported in symptomatic long COVID, but it has not been rigorously studied. We conducted a multicenter observational cross-sectional study to assess pituitary hormone levels in long COVID patients and a longitudinal study to follow patients with abnormal results. Methods: Male and female adults with confirmed symptomatic long COVID were recruited from post COVID clinics at Mount Sinai in New York, Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, and the University of Minnesota, as well as nationwide physician referrals. Pituitary hormone levels were measured, and because fatigue is common in long COVID, patients completed the QoL-AGHDA survey. Those who exceeded pre-determined survey cutoffs or demonstrated any hormone abnormality were invited to the longitudinal study to repeat surveys and blood work every 3 months. A separate cohort with banked serum samples from before and 3, 6, and 9 months after subacute COVID was used as a comparator. Correlation analysis examined associations between QoL-AGHDA scores and pituitary hormone levels. Results: 246 patients were enrolled in the cross-sectional study after a median of 17.0 months (range, 1-39) since the most recent SARS-CoV2 infection prior to the onset of long COVID symptoms. 56% were enrolled in the longitudinal study due to a high questionnaire score and/or pituitary hormone abnormalities. Current mean follow-up period is 7.95 ± 3.2 months. Mildly elevated prolactin levels were most frequent, observed in 12.7% of patients (males 14.0%, females 12.2%). These patients presented post-COVID with galactorrhea, irregular menses, erectile dysfunction, and nonspecific symptoms of hyperprolactinemia. On follow-up, mild hyperprolactinemia tended to persist. Mildly low IGF1 levels (Z-score <-1.0) were observed in 9.0% of patients (males 6.3%, females 10.0%); on follow-up, IGF1 levels recovered in only 15% of these patients. 2.0% of the entire cohort showed transiently elevated IGF1 levels (Z-score >2.0). Low morning cortisol (<5.0 µg/dL) was observed in 3.3% of patients, but response to cosyntropin stimulation was normal. Mild secondary hypothyroidism was observed in 3.7% of all patients, and mild hypogonadism was observed in 7.8% of males. There was no correlation between QoL-AGHDA score and level of each pituitary hormone. After excluding pre-COVID hormone abnormalities in the post subacute COVID cohort, the rate of hyperprolactinemia was lower than that seen in the long COVID cohort (1% vs 12.7%). The rate of low IGF1 levels was higher in the subacute COVID cohort (22% vs 9.0), but unlike with long COVID, low IGF1 levels after subacute COVID recovered in 3-6 months. Conclusion: Abnormalities in pituitary hormone levels in symptomatic long COVID are frequent, with persistent hyperprolactinemia in >10%. Pituitary hormone screening may be important in patients with prolonged symptomatic long COVID. Presentation: 6/3/2024

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• #1707389 Adrenal Lymphoma: A Rare Yet Clinically Significant Entity

  Endocrine Practice · 2024-05-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• #1707385 A case of meningioma with oculomotor nerve palsy in a patient with acromegaly responded to oral octreotide

  Endocrine Practice · 2024-05-01

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• 9191 Real-world Biochemical And Symptoms Outcomes With Oral Octreotide: Management Of Acromegaly (MACRO) Registry Experience

  Journal of the Endocrine Society · 2024-10-01 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Disclosure: K.C. Yuen: Consulting Fee; Self; Novo Nordisk, Neurocrine, Crinetics, Recordati, Ascendis, Chiesi. Grant Recipient; Self; Ascendis, Corcept Therapeutics, Chiesi, Sparrow. Speaker; Self; Recordati, Novo Nordisk. W. Huang: Advisory Board Member; Self; Chiesi, Novo Nordisk, Neurocrine, Crinetics, Recordati. Speaker; Self; Chiesi, Recordati. M. Fleseriu: Consulting Fee; Self; Camurus, Crinetics, Recordati. Grant Recipient; Self; Crinetics (via institution). E.B. Geer: Advisory Board Member; Self; Chiesi, Crinetics. Consulting Fee; Self; Crinetics. T. Araki: Advisory Board Member; Self; Chiesi. A. Labadzhyan: None. P.U. Freda: None. A.G. Ioachimescu: Consulting Fee; Self; Crinetics, Camurus, Xeris. E.A. Christofides: Advisory Board Member; Self; Chiesi. Speaker; Self; Chiesi. J. Sisco: Advisory Board Member; Self; Novo Nordisk. Speaker; Self; Pfizer, Inc.. N.R. Biermasz: None. J.A. Crompton: Employee; Self; Chiesi. M.E. Molitch: Consulting Fee; Self; Chiesi, Takeda, Sention, Jansen Pharmaceuticals. Background: MACRO is a non-interventional, prospective, disease-based cohort registry that collects data on patients with active acromegaly. We report data of real-world experience with oral octreotide capsules (OOC) using paired data from acromegaly patients and their physicians. Methods: Patients (pts) and physicians completed questionnaires at enrollment and every 3 mos (up to 3 yrs) on demographic, disease activity, treatment information, ratings of symptom and biochemical control (“well”, “partially”, “not”, “unsure”), and patient-reported outcomes. Descriptive statistics were analyzed. Results: Out of 230 pts, 32 (14%) received OOC at baseline [30 monotherapy; 1 combination w/pegvisomant (PEG), 1 w/cabergoline (CBG)] and 26 (11%) initiated post-baseline [20 monotherapy; 6 combination (3 w/CBG; 1 w/PEG; 1 w/PEG&CBG; 1 w/bromocriptine)]. Reasons for initiating OOC included patient preference (13, 50%) and lack of symptom control (10, 38%) or biochemical control (7, 27%). Starting dose was unknown, 40, 60, or 80mg/day in 1 (4%), 20 (77%), 2 (8%), and 3 (12%) of newly-initiated pts. Mean (±SD) time on OOC was 19.7±18.1 mos with 42 (72%) receiving for ≥ 6 mos. Last recorded daily dose (n, %) for pts remaining on OOC monotherapy (n=31) was 20 (1, 3%), 40 (16, 52%), 60 (5, 16%), and 80mg (9, 29%). In pts with available IGF-I levels at last follow-up, 81% (39/48) overall and 100% (33/33) on monotherapy were ≤ 1x ULN (mean ± SD = 0.8 ± 0.4 for overall group). Among all pts, 19 (33%) discontinued OOC [5 (9%), 3 (5%), and 9 (16%) for lack of biochemical control, symptom control or adverse events, respectively]. Median (range) time on OOC prior to discontinuation was 5 (2-72) mos. In monotherapy pts discontinued solely for lack of biochemical and/or symptom control, 3/4 (75%) were receiving < 80mg/day. Of 39 pts remaining on OOC-based therapy (31 monotherapy, 8 in combination), 34 (87%) were biochemically well-controlled at last follow-up and 24/34 (71%) were also symptomatically well-controlled per patient report. In the 16 pts initiated on OOC post-baseline and remaining on therapy (8 monotherapy; 8 in combination), 12 (75%) were biochemically well-controlled. Patient-reported symptom control was maintained or improved in newly-initiated pts in 11/16 (69%). Last patient reported symptom control in newly-initiated OOC pts (n, %) was well (8, 50%), partially (4, 25%), not controlled (1, 6%) or unsure/not reported (3, 19%). Conclusions: Most patients were on OOC as monotherapy at 40mg/day and maintained or achieved biochemical control. Discontinuation reasons were consistent with clinical trial experience. In over half of patients discontinuing OOC due to inadequate biochemical or symptom control, dose titration up to 80mg/day was not implemented. Approximately half of patients receiving OOC reported well-controlled symptoms. Presentation: 6/2/2024

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The detail of Surveys performed at 6th conference

  Figshare · 2023-01-01 · 1 citations

  datasetOpen accessSenior author

  Questionnaire performed at 6th conference.

  PublisherDOI

• Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm Mimicking a Pituitary Adenoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

  AACE Clinical Case Reports · 2023-02-05 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  Background/Objective: A thrombosed internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm mimicking a pituitary adenoma can be catastrophic if unrecognized. We report a unique case of the rare presentation of ICA aneurysms masquerading as pituitary adenomas, which can preserve pituitary function when treated early. Case Report: A 54-year-old man with type 2 diabetes, aortic valve replacement, and stroke presented with sudden onset severe headache and left eye pain. Left third nerve palsy was noted. Laboratory studies showed low thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and insulin-like growth factor 1 levels and baseline, post-30-minute, and post-60-minute cortisol levels of 16, 17, and 14 μg/dL, respectively, after adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary revealed a heterogeneously enhancing 2.0 × 2.1 × 2.1-cm sellar/suprasellar mass with peripheral enhancement abutting the left cavernous sinus. Given the acute third nerve palsy without visual defects and magnetic resonance imaging findings, other sources of sellar occupying etiology were suspected. Therefore, carotid cerebral angiography was performed and revealed a mostly thrombosed left ICA aneurysm projected into the sellar/suprasellar region. The patient underwent successful endovascular treatment with a resolution of the cranial nerve palsy and hormonal abnormalities at 3-month follow-up. Discussion: Our case demonstrates the importance of swift recognition of ICA aneurysms masquerading as pituitary adenomas. Early recognition and treatment may lead to the complete resolution of presenting symptoms and hormonal deficiencies. Conclusion: Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for ICA aneurysm in the differential diagnosis for a sellar mass. Careful evaluation is essential because misdiagnosis may lead to catastrophic consequences.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Supplemental Tables.docx

  Figshare · 2023-01-01

  datasetOpen accessSenior author

  Table 1 is the titles presented at this conference. Table 2 is the detail of the questionnaire used at this conference.

  PublisherDOI

Recent grants

• Mechanisms for post-COVID pituitary damage

  NIH · $1.2M · 2021–2025

Frequent coauthors

• Leonid Poretsky

  Lenox Hill Hospital

  14 shared

• Paul B. Moore

  13 shared

• Шломо Мелмед

  Cedars-Sinai Medical Center

  10 shared

• Donna Seto‐Young

  Mount Sinai Beth Israel

  9 shared

• Yasuhiko Kawakami

  University of Minnesota

  8 shared

• Paul B. Moore

  RTI International

  8 shared

• Hidenori Fukuoka

  Kobe University Hospital

  7 shared

• Ramachandra P. Tummala

  7 shared

Labs

• Araki LabPI

Awards & honors

• Clinical Excellence, University of Minnesota, 2023, 2024, 20…
• North American Skull Base Society Research Award 2022
• Minnesota Monthly "Top Doctors", 2022