• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2021

Objectives : The aim of this study was to compare activities of daily living (ADLs) according to degenerative changes in brain [i.e., medial temporal lobe atrophy (MTA), white matter hyperintensities] and to examine the association between neurocognitive functions and ADLs in Korean patients with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods : Participants were 111 elderly subjects diagnosed with AD or MCI in this cross-sectional study. MTA in brain MRI was rated with standardized visual rating scales (Scheltens scale) and the subjects were divided into two groups according to Scheltens scale. ADLs was evaluated with the Korean version of Blessed Dementia Scale-Activity of daily living (BDS-ADL). Neurocognitive function was evaluated with the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease assessment packet (CERAD-K). Independent t-test was performed to compare ADLs with the degree of MTA. Pearson correlation and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed to analyze the relationship between ADLs and neurocognitive functions. Results : The group with high severity of the MTA showed significantly higher BDS-ADL scores (p<0.05). The BDS-ADL score showed the strongest correlation with the word list recognition test among sub-items of the CERAD-K test (r=-0.568). Findings from the hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that the scores of MMSE-K and word list recognition test were factors that predict ADLs (F=44.611, p<0.001). Conclusions : ADLs of AD and MCI patients had significant association with MTA. Our study, which identifies factors correlated with ADLs can provide useful information in clinical settings. Further evaluation is needed to confirm the association between certain brain structures and ADLs.

• Proceeding of EDISON Challenge
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• 2017.03a
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• pp.46-53
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• 2017

알츠하이머병은 치매를 유발하는 가장 주된 원인 질환으로 환자들은 인지장애를 겪게 된다. 현재 치료약으로 사용되는 약으로는 acetylcholinesterase 저해재가 있지만 이 약들의 효과는 미비하다. 그래서 인지기능에 영향을 미친다고 알려진 신경전달물질인 GABA, Glutamate, acetylcholine의 수치를 조절 할 수 있는 $5-HT_6$ receptor antagonist가 현재 개발되고 있다. 현재 여러 antagonist들이 임상실험 되었고, 인지 능력향상에 효과를 보이고 있다. 그러나, $5-HT_6$ receptor의 구조가 밝혀지지 않아 아직 원자적 수준의 결합 분석이 이루어지지 않았으므로 이 부분에 대한 연구가 필요하다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 Homology modeling을 통해 receptor의 구조를 예측하고, 현재 임상실험 중인 antagonist들 중 7개를 docking을 통해 단백질과 리간드의 결합을 예측하였다. Edison에서 Galaxy TBM과 Galaxy Refine을 사용하여 Homology modeling 한 결과 GPCR의 전형적인 모델에 특징적으로 긴 cterminal을 가졌다는 것을 확인 할 수 있었다. 생성된 구조를 가지고 Edison의 Dock 프로그램으로 7개의 antagonist가 어떠한 결합을 하는지 분석하였다. 그 결과, binding pose에 공통적으로 Trp102, Asp106, Val107, Pro177, Phe188, Val189, Ala192, Phe284, Phe285, Asn288, Thr306, Tyr310이 관여하는 것을 docking을 통해 알 수 있었다. 특히, Phe285는 7개의 antagonist 중에 4개와의 interaction을 하고 있는 것을 관찰하였다. 이 연구를 통하여 $5-HT_6$에 효과적으로 결합하여 치료효과를 낼 수 있는 신약을 개발할 수 있다.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.411-416
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to identify pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity of Alzheimer's dementia patients and recognize the necessity and importance of oral prevention management. Methods: The participants comprised 40 dementia patients aged 60 years or older and general patients who were using nursing care facilities in Gwangju from February to July 2017. Samples were collected with Eazyperio products for oral pathogenic microbial testing. Eighteen types of bacteria could be detected by analyzing Multiplex-Quantity Real Time polymerase chain reaction at a genetic testing agency. Results: The study comprised more women than men. Most participants were in their 80s. Statistically significant differences were observed in some oral pathogenic microorganisms. Conclusions: Pathogenic microorganisms could more easily proliferate in the oral cavities of Alzheimer's dementia patients than they could among general elderly participants due to a lack of awareness of oral hygiene and prevention management. To improve this, it is considered necessary to deploy oral health care professionals.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.59-68
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• 2000

An increase in senile dementia population has caused social concerns in Korea. The Korean-Boston Naming Test(K-BNT) has been used in assessing naming ability of patients with diffuse brain damage as well as senile dementia. This study was conducted to develop a short from of the K-BNT. to present normative data, and to demonstrate clinical utility of the shortform K-BNT. The participants were 142 healthy elderly adults, ages between 55 and 84, who were sampled in the Seoul-Kyungki area. Twenty patients with mild probable DAT participated in the study. We developed four norms based on education(0∼6 years and more than 6 years) and age(55∼64 and 65∼84 years). The study showed high internal consistency among the items. Further. DAT patients and normal controls showed significant difference in the K-BNT short form scores(F(1, 158) = 23,216, p < .0001). Normative data presented in this study will be useful in evaluating the naming ability of elderly patients in clinical setting.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.119-126
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of task oriented training on motor and cognitive function recovery in rats with induced Alzheimer's dementia. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a control group (n=15) and an experimental group (n=15). Training was given three times a week, for 20 minutes a session for 4 weeks. The cognitive and motor functions of the rats were evaluated by an eight arm radial maze test and ladder rung walk test. The eight arm radial maze test showed significant differences between groups according to the time of day 14 and 28 (p<.001). The difference in measured values according to the timing of the two groups was significant (p<.001). Additionally, there was a significant difference between the time and the group interaction (p<.001). The ladder rung walk test showed significant differences between groups according to the time of day 14 and 28 (p<.001). The difference in the measured values according to the timing of the two groups was significant (p<.001), and there was a significant difference between the time and the group interaction (p<.001). As a result, task oriented training for Alzheimer's dementia rats was found to have a positive effect on recovery of motor and cognitive function.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.118-125
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to find brain regions in which gray matter volume was reduced and to show the capability of voxel-based morphpmetry(VBM) analysis for lateralizing clinically significant brain regions in dementia of Alzheimer's type patients compared to healthy group. Methods : MR T1-weighted images of the 20 dementia of Alzheimer's type patients were compared with those of the 20 normal controls. Images were transformed to standard MNI space. In order to observe gray matter volume change. Gray matter was smoothed with a Gaussian kernel. After these preprocessing, statistical analysis was performed using statistical parametric mapping software(SPM2). Results : Gray matter volume was significantly reduced in the bilateral parahippocampal gyri, Lt. anterior cingulate gyrus, Lt. posterior cingulate gyrus, bilateral superior temporal gyri Lt. middle temporal gyrus, Lt. superior, bilateral middle, Rt. anterior frontal gyri and Rt. precuneus in dementia of Alzheimer's type patient group. Conclusions : These VBM results confirm previous findings of temporal lobe and limbic lobe atrophic changes in dementia of Alzheimer's type, and suggest that these abnormalities may be confined to specific sites within that lobe, rather than showing a widespread distribution.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.367-377
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the quality of life (QoL) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and their and caregivers and its influencing factors. Methods: A descriptive research design was used. 211 pairs of AD patients and their caregivers were recruited from a neurology outpatient clinic of S medical center in Seoul, Korea. Caregivers completed several structured questionnaires regarding AD patients' QoL as well as their QoL, patients' behavioral and psychological symptoms, patients' activities of daily living (ADL), social support, and quality of relationship between AD patients and caregivers. Cognitive status of AD patients was assessed by the researchers using Korean Mini-Mental State Examination. Results: The scores of QoL were 26.91 for AD patients and 85.62 for their caregivers. In the multiple regression, factors associated with AD patients' QoL were the quality of relationship (${\beta}$=.44), ADL (${\beta}$=-.33), patient's age (${\beta}$=.20), caregivers' QoL (${\beta}$=.20), and patient's gender (${\beta}$=.11). Factors associated with caregivers' QoL were the quality of relationship (${\beta}$=.34), relationship (${\beta}$=.32), patient's QoL (${\beta}$=.26), caregivers' gender (${\beta}$=.18), social support (${\beta}$=.12), and the level of caregivers' education (${\beta}$=.12). Conclusion: To improve the QoL in AD patients and their caregivers, strategies to promote their quality of relationship are needed.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2019

Objectives : The aim of this study was to compare severity, neurocognitive functions, and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) according to the degree of temporal lobe atrophy (MTA) in Korean patients with dementia due to Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. Methods : Participants were 114 elderly subjects diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment in this cross-sectional study. MTA in brain MRI was rated with standardized visual rating scales (Scheltens scale) and the subjects were divided into two groups according to Scheltens scale. Severity was evaluated with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS). Neurocognitive functions was evaluated with the Korean version of Short Blessed Test (SBT-K) and the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease assessment packet (CERAD-K). BPSD was evaluated with the Korean version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (K-NPI). Independent t-test was performed to compare severity, neurocognitive functions, and BPSD between two groups. Results : The group with high severity of MTA showed significantly lower scores in CDR, SBT-K, MMSE-KC, modified Boston naming test, word list recognition, and word list memory (p<0.05). There were no differences in K-NPI scores between two groups. Conclusions : Severity and neurocognitive functions of dementia had significant positive association with MTA, but BPSD had no association with MTA. Evaluating MTA seems to have potential benefit in diagnosing and treating neurocognitive impairments in the elderly. Further evaluation is needed to confirm the association between certain brain structures and BPSD.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to understand the importance of exterior environments and to identify the design guidelines for the therapeutic garden for cognitively impaired seniors with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The data was collected from 4 Adult Day Care Centers, 2 Nursing Homes, & 1 Assisted living in the U.S.A. from 2001 to 2002 by interview and the floor plan about the outdoor space. Although some may believe that patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders are unresponsive to environment, evidence shows that environments especially designed for cognitively impaired seniors can maintain or increase their level of functioning. The use of specially designed exterior environments nay have in reducing incidents of aggressive behavior, and contributing significantly to a wanderer management program. The checklist includes 6 dimensions： safety environment, various sensual stimulations, social interactions, wandering, privacy, and support orientation and reality. The results indicated that the exterior environment have to support wandering behavior, orientation and reality.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.57-64
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• 2019

Objectives This study is to investigate the effect of sasang constitutional medicine on the delirium and cognitive decline caused by traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in a soeumin alzheimer patient Methods We have treated a 79-year-old Soeumin patient mainly with Doksampalmul-tang. She was already suffering from Alzheimer's disease. After traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, there were symptoms of delirium and cognitive decline. The degree of improvement was checked by K-MMSE and K-MOCA scores. Results The K-MMSE score improved from 0 to 11 and the K-MOCA score from 0 to 3. Conclusions Sasang constitutional medicine has been effective in the treatment of delirium and cognitive decline caused by traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage.