• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.34-45
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• 1998

We provide the reader with a brief introduction to the neurobiology of neuropeptides. Several comprehensive reviews of the distribution and neurochemical, neurophysiological, neuropharmacological and behavioral effects of the major neuropeptides have recently appeared. In reviews of the large number of neuropeptides in brain and their occurance in brain regions thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders, investigators have sought to determine whether alternations in neuropeptide systems are associated with schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, alcoholism and neurodegenerative disease. There is no longer any doubt that neuropeptide-containing neurons are altered in several neuropsychiatric disorders. One of the factors that has hindered neuropeptide research to a considerable extent is the lack of pharmacological agents that specifically alter the synaptic availability of neuropeptides. With the exception of naloxone and naltrexone, the opiate-receptor antagonists, there are few available neuropeptide- receptor antagonists. Two independent classes of neuropeptide-receptor antagonists has been expected to be clinically useful. Naltrexone, a potent ${\mu}$-receptor antagonist, has been used successfully to reduce the need for alcohol consumption. And cholecycstokinin antagonists are now in development as a new class of anxiolytics, which would be expected to be free from tolerance and physical dependence and lack of sedation. In this review, we deal with these two kinds of neuropeptide system, the opioid system and cholesystokinins in the brain. The role of opioid systems in the reinforcement after alcohol consumtion and that of cholesystokinins in the pathogenesis of anxiety will be discussed briefly. As we know, the future for neuropeptides in psychiatry remains bright indeed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.2 s.75
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• pp.315-322
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• 2006

FS11052, a novel microbial metabolite from Streptomyces spp. was identified as a small molecular substance and shown inhibition activities for the release of neurotransmitter from rat hippocampal neuron and PC12 cells. FS11052 is an inhibitor of tritiated norepinephrine ($[^3H]-NE$) release in high $K^+$ buffer solution containing ionomycin, indicating that FS11052 inhibits neurotransmitter release after the influx of $Ca^{2+}$ ions. When examined the effect of FS11052 on glucuronidase release from guinea pig neutrophils, FS11052 inhibited glucuronidase release: when treated with $5{\mu}g/ml$ of FS11052, which was not induced cellular cytotoxicity. The fact that the glucuronidase release in neutrophil and norepinephrine release in neuron was inhibited suggests the similarity in the locations and the mechanisms of FS11052 action targets. When treated with $5{\mu}g/ml$ of FS11052, $[^3H]-NE$ release and neurite extension for both rat hippocampal neurons and PC12 cells were prevented. These observations of FS11052 functioning as an inhibitor of neurotransmitter release suggest that FS11052 has an important role in synaptic transmission in neuron.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.81-92
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• 2001

Stress has been linked to the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of various psychiatric illnesses. Over the past few years, our understanding of the brain and neuroendocrine systems that are linked to stress responses has increased enormously. This article reviews a series of animal and human studies to understand what are the central pathways by which stress is perceived, processed, and transduced into a neuroendocrine response. We focus on the limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(LHPA) axis and several neurotransmitter systems such as norepinephrine, CRF, serotonin, acetylcholine, and dopamine. LHPA stress circuit is a complex system with multiple control mechanisms which are altered in pathological states. CRF and related peptides in the central nervous system appear to enhance behavioral responses to stressors. Norepinephrine systems are also activated by stressors and cause the release of catecholamines from the autonomic nervous system. CRF-norepinephrine interaction makes a feed-forward system which may be important for an organism to mobilize not only the pituitary system but also the central nervous system, in response to environmental challenges. The interactions among several neurotransmitters and endocrine systems appear to play key roles in mediating various behavioral and psychological stress responses involving abnormal responses to stressors such as anxiety and affective disorders.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2004

This study was designed to investigate the effects of ethyl acetate(EtOAc) fraction of pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb et Zucc) needle on cholesterol and lipofuscin(LF) accumulations, acetylcholine(ACh) and its related enzyme activities such as choline acetyltransferase(ChAT) and acetylcholinesterase(AChE), and monoamine oxidase-B(MAO-B) activity, which destroyed the catecholamine related neurotransmitters in brain membranes of Sprague- Dawley (SD) rats. Male SD rats were fed basic diets (control group) and experimental diets (EtOAc-25, EtOAc-50 and EtOAc-100) for 45 days. Cholesterol accumulations in mitocholndria and microsomes were significantly inhibited (11.8-12.1% and 9.6-13.0%, respectvely) in EtOAc-50 and EtOAc-100 groups. ACh levels and ChAT activities were significantly increased about 10% in membranes of EtOAc-100 group compared with control group. AChE activities were significantly increased about 8 -12% in membranes of EtOAc-50 and EtOAc-100 groups compared with control group. MAO-B activities were significantly inhibited about 10% in membrane of EtOAc-l00 group compared with control group. These results suggest that ethyl acetate fraction of pine needle may play an effective role in inhibiting cholesterol and improving a membrane fluidity, and learning and memory impairments. (Korean J Nutrition 37(2): 95 -99, 2004)

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.391-396
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• 2015

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the visual system of the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) by location analysis of some major neurotransmitters glutamate, ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acetylcholine, and their receptors, and $m{\ddot{u}}ller$ glial cells in retina. Methods: Standard immunocytochemical techniques were used after vibratome section of retinal tissues of adult greater horseshoe bat for this study. Immnoreactions in immunofluorescence images were analyzed using confocal microscope. Results: Anti-glutamate-immunoreactive neurons were mainly localized in the ganglion cell layer (GCL). The majority of anti-GABA-immunoreactive cells distributed in the inner nuclear layer (INL), and GABAA receptors were localized in the inner plexiform layer (IPL). Anti-choline acetyltransferase-immuoreactive cholinergic neurons were mainly located in the INL and GCL, and most of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors were localized in the IPL. The $m{\ddot{u}}ller$ cells in the retina of the greater horseshoe bat stretched theirs range from the GCL to outer nuclear layer (ONL). Conclusions: This study revealed that the retinas of the greater horseshoe bats contain the same major neurotransmitters and receptors, and glial cell in visually functional mammalian retinas. The present results may suggest that the greater horseshoe bats have the functional retinas for visual analysis through the organized retinal neural circuits.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.738-742
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• 2005

This study was designed to investigate the anti-dementia effects of acorn (Quercus acutissima CARR.) in brain of the mouse. Dementia model was induced by administration of scopolamin (30 mg/kg BW) Male ICR mouse $(30{\pm}2g\;BW)$ were fed basal diet (control group), and experimental diets (AP-5 and AP-10 groups) added $5\%\;and\;10\%$ of dried acorn powder to basal diet for 8 months. Acetylcholine content significantly increase in AP-5 and AP-10 groups ($4.2\%\;and\;11.3\%$, respectively) compared with control group. Acetylcholinesterase activities were significantly inhibited ($13.5\%\;and\;17.6\%$, respectively) in brain of AP-5 and AP-10 groups. Monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) activities were significantly inhibited ($10.0\%\;and\;12.7\%$, respectively) in brain of AP-S and AP-10 groups. These results suggest that acorn (Q. acutissima CARR.) may play an effective role in an attenuating various age-related changes such as dementia including learning and memory impairments in brain.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1182-1187
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• 2005

This study was designed to investigate the supplementary effects of Lentinus edodes which were harvested at different time period and part on acetylcholine content and its related enzyme activities in the brain of diabetic mouse model (KK mouse). We fed mice with standard diet (Control diet; CON) or 4 different kinds of experimental diets (DGC: on time harvested, cap of Dong Go; DGS: on time harvested, stipe of Dong Go; HSC: late harvested, cap of Hyang Sin: HSS: late harvested, stipe of Hyang Sin) to KK mouse for 8 weeks. Neurotransmitter such as acetylcholine contents, acetylcholinesterase activities, monoamine oxidase-B ac-tivities and lipid peroxide contents in the brain were measured. The results showed that acetylcholine content was significantly higher in DGC and HSC groups than CON group. The activities of acetylcholinesterase and monoamine oxidase-B enzyme were significantly inhibited in the brain of DGC and HSC groups compared with CON group. Lipid peroxide content was lower in DGC group than CON group. These results suggested that the cap of Lentinus edodes which were harvested on time and late time contain increased acetylcholine content and decreased acetylcholinesterase activities, monoamine oxidase-B activities and lipid peroxide contents. Thus the cap of Lentinus edodes which were harvested at different time periods may play an effective role in enhancing cognitive function.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 1999

Benzodiazepines(BZDs) are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the world. They are potent anxiolytic, antiepileptic, hypnotic, and muscle relaxing agents. There is an emerging model of the role of several neural systems in anxiety and their relation to the mechanism of action of BZDs. It has been postulated that BZD drugs exert their anxiolytic action by regulating GABAergic transmission in limbic areas such as the amygdala, in the posterior hypothalamus, and in the raphe nuclei. The involvement of the amygdala in the behaviors triggered by fear and stress has been suggested by many previous studies. In this review, reports about regulatory effects of endogenous BZD receptor ligands on the perception of anxiety and memory consolidation were summerized. These findings further support the contention that BZD receptor ligands modulate memory consolidation of averse learning tasks by influencing the level of stress and/or anxiety that accompanies a learning experience. The findings suggest that the decrease in the limbic levels of BZD-like molecules seen after the various behavioral procedures represent a general response to stress and/or anxiety, since it occurs in proportion to the level of stress and/or anxiety that accompany these tasks. In addition, these findings further support the hypothesis that the $GABA_A$/BZD receptor complex in limbic structures plays a pivotal role in the stress and anxiety.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Sensory Integration
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.75-84
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• 2015

Objective : The aim of this study was to provide mechanism information of a link between arousal and sensory modulation to increase understanding of neurophysiological study. Subject : Optimal arousal state of a child is an important issue in sensory integration therapy. Limbic system and reticular formation are related to sensory modulation by sensory input. Sensory inputs processes from reticular formation to cortex via ascending reticular activation system for moderate arousal. A lot of neurotransmitters such as cholinergic neurons and monoamin neurons help this processes. Mechanism of arousal was measured by functions of central nervous system (CNS) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) using objective tools such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) and electrodermal responses. Functions of CNS and ANS showed differences between normal children and children with disabilities. Optimal sensory input using sensory integration therapy for children with disabilities helps to act reticular formation, limbic system, and cortex and to maintain appropriate arousal. Conclusion : Such quantitative studies by using neurophysiological methods provide evidence for sensory integration therapy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.176-181
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• 2004

This study was designed to investigate the effects of buthanol (BuOH) fraction of pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb et Zucc) needle on cholesterol and lipofuscin (LF) accumulations, acetylcholine (ACh) and its related enzyme activities such as choline acetyltransferase (CAhT) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and monoamone oxidase-B (MAO-B) activity, which destroyed the catecholamine-related neurotransmitters in brain membranes of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Male SD rats were fed basic diets (control group) or experimental diets (BuOH-25, BuOH-50 and BuOH-100) for 45 days. Cholesterol accumulations in mitochondria and microsomes were significantly inhibited (about 14 - 17％ and 23 - 34％, respectvely) in BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups, whereas LF levels were significantly inhibited (about 10 - 14％) in BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups compared with control group. ACh levels and ChAT activities were significantly increased (about 11 - 17％ and 11 - 23％, respectively) in membranes of BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups compared with control group. AChE activities were significantly increased (about 14 - 17％) in membranes of BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups. There was no significant difference in MAO-B activities between control and experimental diet groups. The results suggest that butanol fraction of pine needle may play an effective role in an antiaging effect and improving a learning and memory impairments.