• Korean Journal of Optics and Photonics
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.331-337
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• 2022

Raman spectroscopy is an optical technique that can identify molecules in a label-free manner, and is therefore heavily investigated in various areas ranging from biomedical engineering to materials science. Probe-based Raman spectroscopy can perform minimally invasive chemical analysis, and thus has potential as a real-time diagnostic tool during surgery. In this study, Raman experimentation was calibrated by examining the Raman shifts with respect to the concentrations of chemical substances. Raman signal characteristics, targeted for normal mice and cerebral tissues of the 5xFAD dementia mutant model with accumulated amyloid beta plaques, were measured and analyzed to explore the possibility of diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. The application to the diagnosis of dementia was cross-validated by measuring Raman signals of amyloid beta. The results suggest the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a diagnostic tool that may be useful in various areas of application.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.119-128
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• 2013

Objectives Memory impairment is a very important mental health issue for elderly and adults. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Early detection of the prodromal stage of patients with AD is an important topic of interest for both mental health clinicians and policy makers. Methods Electroencephalograpgy (EEG) has been used as a possible biological marker for patients with MCI, and AD. In this review, we will summarize the clinical implications of EEG and ERP as a biological marker for AD and MCI. Results EEG power density, functional coupling, spectral coherence, synchronization, and connectivity were analyzed and proved their clinical efficacy in patients with the prodromal stage of AD. Serial studies on late event-related potentials (ERPs) were also conducted in MCI patients as well as healthy elders. Even though these EEG and ERP studies have some limitations for their design and method, their clinical implications are increasing rapidly. Conclusion EEG and ERP can be used as biological markers of AD and MCI. Also they can be used as useful tools for early detection of AD and MCI patients. They are useful and sensitive research tools for AD and MCI patients. However, some problems remain to be solved until they can be practical measures in clinical setting.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.452-455
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• 2006

The in vitro cytoprotective and anti-oxidative effects of ursodeoxycholic acid, a major active compound from bear's gall were investigated in mouse brain microglia. In the present study, we wished to scrutinize the potential role of UDCA as an anti-neurodegenerative agent in neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease. This concept was supported by the multiple preliminary studies in which UDCA has an anti-inflammatory effect in microglial cells. In the study, we found that $7.5\;{\mu}g/mL$ UDCA was effective in the protection of cells from $H_2O_2$ damage, a reactive oxygen, and the resuIt was coincided with the anti-apoptotic effect in DAPI staining. Moreover, the metal-catalyzed oxidation study showed that UDCA has antioxidant effect as much as ascorbic acid at $50{\sim}100\;{\mu}g/mL$. In conclusion, these study results suggested that neuro-degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease probably caused by over-expressed beta amyloid peptide in elderly people can be controled by UDCA through an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effect. The evidences showed in the study may be references for more in-depth in vivo and clinical studies for a candidate of anti-neurodegenerative therapy in the near future.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.272-279
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the discriminating nature of $^{123}I-FP-CIT$ SPECT in patients with parkinsonism. Methods: $^{123}I-FP-CIT$ SPECT images acquired from the 18 normal controls; NC ($60.4{\pm}10.0$ yr) and 237 patients with parkinsonism ($65.9{\pm}9.2$ yr) were analyzed. From spatialIy normalized images, regional counts of the caudate, putamen, and occipital lobe were obtained using region of interest method. Binding potential (BP) was calculated with the ratio of specific to nonspecific binding activity at equilibrium. Additionally, the BP ratio of putamen to caudate (PCR) and asymmetric Index (ASI) were measured. Results: BPs of NC $3.37{\pm}0.57,\; 3.10{\pm}0.41,\; 3.23{\pm}0.48$ for caudate, putamen, whole striatum, respectively) had no significant difference with those of essential tremor; ET ($3.31{\pm}0.64,\; 3.06{\pm}0.61,\; 3.14{\pm}0.63$) and Alzheimer's disease; AD (3.33 $\pm$0.60, 3.29$\pm$0.79, 3.31$\pm$0.70), but were higher than those of Parkinson's disease; PD (1.92$\pm$0.74, 1.39$\pm$0.68, 1.64$\pm$0.68), multiple system atrophy; MSA (2.36$\pm$1.07, 2.16$\pm$0.91, 2.26$\pm$0.96), and dementia with Lewy body; DLB (1.95$\pm$0.72, 1.64$\pm$0.65, 1.79$\pm$0.66)(p<0.005). PD had statisticalIy lower values of PER and higher values of ASI than those of NC (p<0.005). And PD had significantIy lower value of PCR, higher ASI and lower BP in the putamen and whole striatum than MSA (p<0.05). Conclusion: Dopamine transporter image of $^{123}I-FP-CIT$ SPECT was a good value in differential diagnosis of parkinsonism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.11
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• pp.1727-1735
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• 2013

This study is carried out to investigate the analysis of nutrition and antioxidants of soybean Chungkukjang powder (SCP), Yak-Kong Chungkukjang powder (YCP) and Yak-Kong Chungkukjang powder added black foods (YCBP) for the management of Alzheimer's disease. The water content of YCBP was higher than that of SCP and YCP. The soluble and crude protein contents of YCP were the highest among three Chungkukjang powders. In SCP, YCP and YCBP, the ratios of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids were 5.17, 5.76, and 5.78, respectively. The mineral content of SCP was higher than that of YCP and YCBP. Antioxidants analysis showed that the content of diadzein was the highest in YCP and genistein, and anthocyanin contents were higher than the others in YCBP. In conclusion, YCP and YCBP had higher contents than SCP in soluble and crude proteins, and unsaturated fatty acids, which are needed for composition and function of the brain tissue. Also, it was found that the contents of diadzein, genistein and anthocyanin with outstanding antioxidative ability were high. Thus, this study suggests that Chungkukjang powder, which is made with Yak-Kong, black sesame, black rice and sea tangle, can be utilized for in vivo experiment for the control of oxidative stress, reported as cause and therapy for Alzheimer's Disease.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.57-66
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• 2010

The antioxidant and neuronal cell protective effects of water extract from purple sweet potato were investigated. The total phenolics and monomeric anthocyanin contents of purple sweet potato extract were 44.25 mg/g and 2,394 mg/L, respectively. The antioxidant activities of purple sweet potato extract were evaluated using various antioxidant tests, including 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino- bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and reducing power. In these assays, the extract of purple sweet potato presented significant radical scavenging activities, FRAP, and reducing power in a dose-dependent manner. MTT {3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyl- tetrazoliumbromide} reduction assay showed significantly increase in cell viability when PC12 cells were pretreated with purple sweet potato extract. Because oxidative stress is also known to increase neuronal cell membrane breakdown, we further investigated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and neutral red uptake assay. Purple sweet potato extract inhibited oxidative stress-induced membrane damage in neuronal cells. Therefore, these data results demonstrated that water extract of purple sweet potato have antioxidant activity and neuronal cell protective effect thus it has great potential as a natural source for human health.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.812-824
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• 2013

Reserpine, an anti-hypertensive drug, is able to positively modulate several phenotypes associated with $A{\beta}$ toxicity in a Caenorhabditis elegans model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated into the therapeutic effects of reserpine on mammalian neurodegenerative disorders, and found that significant alteration of the key factors influencing AD was detected in Tg2576 mice after reserpine treatment for 30 days. The aggressive behavior of Tg2576 mice was significantly improved upon reserpine treatment, whereas their social contact was consistently maintained. Furthermore, the levels of $A{\beta}$-42 peptide in the hippocampus of the brain and blood serum were lower in the reserpine-treated group than in the vehicle-treated group. Among g-secretase components, the expression levels of PS-2, Pen-2, and APH-1 were slightly lower in reserpine-treated Tg2576 mice, although a significant change in nicastrin (NCT) expression was not detected. Furthermore, the serum level of nerve growth factor (NGF) increased in reserpine-treated Tg2576 mice compared with vehicle-treated mice. Among down-stream effectors of the NGF receptor TrkA signaling pathway, reserpine treatment induced elevation of TrkA phosphorylation and reduction of ERK phosphorylation. In addition, in the NGF receptor $p75^{NTR}$ signaling pathway, the expression levels of $p75^{NTR}$ and Bcl-2 were enhanced in reserpine-treated Tg2576 mice compared with vehicle-treated mice, whereas the expression level of RhoA declined. Overall, these results suggest that reserpine can help relieve AD pathogenesis in Tg2576 mice through downregulation of $A{\beta}$-42 deposition, alteration of ${\gamma}$-secretase components, and regulation of NGF metabolism.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.95-102
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• 2005

The present study was performed to investigate the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and Proly1 endopeptidase (PEP) inhibitory activities of plant extracts. The whole extract of Fragaria yezoensis inhibited the DPPH radical by $90.4\%$ and the stem of Gingko biloba, Gardenia jasminoides for. grandiflora and Rhododendron yedoensa var. poukhanene, the loaves of Rhododendron mucronulatum var. ciliatum, Gardenia jasminoides for. grandiflora and Corylus sieboldiana var. mandshurice, the fruit of Cornus officinalis, and the root of Gingko biloba showed high DPPH radical scavenging activities. In the case of PEP inhibitory activities, high inhibition was observed in the whole Plant of Fragaria ananassa, Fragaria yezoensis and Hypericum erectum, the stem of Actinidia arguta and Rhododendron yedoensa var. poukhanese, the leaves of Rhododendron yedoensa var. poukhanense and Rosa davurica, the fruit of Cornus officinalis. and the root of Acer okamotoanum. There was significant correlation (P=0.000) between DPPH radical scavenging and prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory activities, thus some of plant extracts such as whole Fragaria yezoensis, fruit of Cornus officinalis had high activities in both DPPH-scavenging and prolyl endopeptidase inhibition. Therefore, it is required to examine the mechanical interaction between DPPH-scavenging and prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory activities and further studying plant extracts with both these activities is desired to develop agents for preventing and treating of Alzheimer's disease.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.78-85
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• 2021

Objectives: When elderly patients show depressive symptoms, discrimination between depressive disorder and prodromal phase of Alzheimer's disease is important. We tested whether a quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) marker was associated with cerebral amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in older adults with depression. Methods: Non-demented older individuals (≥ 55years) diagnosed with depression were included in the analyses (n = 63; 76.2% female; mean age ± standard deviation 73.7 ± 6.87 years). The participants were divided into Aβ+ (n = 32) and Aβ- (n = 31) groups based on amyloid PET assessment. EEG was recorded during the 7min eye-closed (EC) phase and 3min eye-open (EO) phase, and all EEG data were analyzed using Fourier transform spectral analysis. We tested interaction effects among Aβ positivity, condition (EC vs. EO), laterality (left, midline, or right), and polarity (frontal, central, or posterior) for EEG alpha band power. Then, the EC-to-EO alpha reactivity index (ARI) was examined as a neurophysiological marker for predicting Aβ+ in depressed older adults. Results: The mean power spectral density of the alpha band in EO phase showed a significant difference between the Aβ+ and Aβ- groups (F = 6.258, p = 0.015). A significant 3-way interaction was observed among Aβ positivity, condition, and laterality on alpha-band power after adjusting for age, sex, educational years, global cognitive function, medication use, and white matter hyperintensities on MRI (F = 3.720, p = 0.030). However, post-hoc analyses showed no significant difference in ARI according to Aβ status in any regions of interest. Conclusion: Among older adults with depression, increased power in EO phase alpha band was associated with Aβ positivity. However, EC-to-EO ARI was not confirmed as a predictor for Aβ+ in depressed older individuals. Future studies with larger samples are needed to confirm our results.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.391-404
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to determine the status of interventional studies to prevent falling in elderly with dementia and to determine the contents and effectiveness of intervention programs to prevent falling. Existing reports published between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2016 were searched electronically using the RISS, National Library, KISS, PubMed, and CINAHL database with the keywords dementia, Alzheimer's or Alzheimer's disease, falling, and prevention of falling. After checking the original sources of the articles, 13 articles were included in the review. Therapeutic interventions used in the articles included exercise therapy (8, 61.5%), physiotherapy and occupational therapy (2, 15.4%), complementary therapies (2, 15.4%), and music therapy (1, 7.7%). As a result of the qualitative evaluation of the papers using a checklist of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network, two studies scored 9 out of 10 points, five studies scored 8 out of 10, and six studies scored 7 out of 10. Intervention sessions were conducted for 55 minutes, on average, for a total of 37 sessions. This study found that exercise, music therapy, physical and occupational therapy, and rhythmic motion therapy were effective in preventing falling in the elderly with dementia. In the future, these findings are expected to be used as a basis for the development of a preventive intervention program for nurses in a clinical setting.