• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.10
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• pp.771-777
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• 2022

Dopaminergic (DA) cell death in Parkinson's disease (PD) has been attributed to multiple, distinct genetic and environmental factors. In rare familial PD loss of parkin function mutations play a key role in nigral DA neuron-specific pathogenesis primarily via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In more prevalent sporadic PD, environmental exposure to pesticides has a significant epidemiological role. However, it is largely unknown how environmental exposure to xenobiotics is etiologically linked with the known etiology in familial PD. In the present study biochemical evidence for a common pathogenic mechanism between sporadic and familial PD has been identified employing the recently characterized mesencephalic DA cell line, N27-A. Dieldrin, an organochlorine pesticide epidemiologically implicated in sporadic PD, induced the markers of ER stress response such as a chaperone BiP/Grp78, heme oxygenase-1 and especially, parkin. Accordingly, dieldrin activated the ER resident Caspase-12, a mediator of ER stress-specific apoptosis, during cell death of N27-A cells. Of great interest the dieldrin-induced DA neuronal cell death was synergistically rescued by the overexpression of ER resident neuroprotective proteins, parkin and Bcl-2. The present findings implicate that accumulation of ER stress could be one of common pathogenic mechanisms in idiopathic and familial PD, and some ER proteins, such as parkin and Bcl-2 may effectively attenuate ER stress-mediated N27-A DA cell death.

• 재활복지
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.237-255
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• 2014

Idiopathic Parkinson disease(IPD) is an neurodegenerative disease caused by the loss of dopamine cells in the substantia nigra, a region of midbrain. Its major symptoms are muscular rigidity, bradykinesia, resting tremor, and postural instability. An estimated 70~90% of patients with IPD also have hypokinetic dysarthria. Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) has been reported to be successful in relieving the core motor symptoms of IPD in the advanced stages of the disease. However, data on the effects of STN-DBS on speech performance are inconsistent. A medline literature search was done to retrieve articles published from 1987 to 2012. The results were narrowed down to focus on speech performance under STN-DBS based perceptual, acoustic, and/or aerodynamic analyses. Among the 32 publications which dealt with speech performance after STN-DBS indicated improvement(42%), deterioration(29%), mixed results(26%), or no change(3%). The most favorite method was found to be based upon acoustic analysis by using a vowel prolongation and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS). For the purpose of verifying the effect of the STN-DBS, speech evaluation should be undertaken on all speech components such as articulation, resonance, phonation, respiration, and prosody by using a contextual speech task.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.71-72
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• 2009

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 2005

Objective : This study was designed to evaluate the effect of moxibustion with various scales on symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Methods : Subjects were voluntarily recruited by newspapers and internet. All the subjects are confirmed as idiopathic parkinson's disease by a neurologist. The moxibustion therapy was performed 5 times a week by patient's family at home and once a week by oriental medical doctor at hospital. Moxibustion points were GV2O, CV12, ST36, BL18, BL2O. Intensity was up to pain threshold according to patients not to get burned. The patient's symptoms were assessed before, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks treatment by unified Parkinson's disease rating scale(UPDRS), modified Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y) stage, Schwab & England activity of daily living and freezing of gait questionnaire(FOGQ). Results : Total UPDRS scores were significantly improved after 4 weeks(p<0.01) and after 8 weeks(p<0.01) compared to the pre-treatment. There were significant changes in H-Y stage after 4 weeks(p<0.05), but there were no significant changes in H-Y stage after 8 weeks. The scores of ADL were not significantly improved after 4 weeks(p>0.05) and after 8 weeks(p>0.05). There were significant changes in FOGQ scale after 4 weeks(p=0.05) and but there were no significant changes in FOGQ scale after 8 weeks(p=0.13). Conclusion : This study suggests that moxibustion treatments can be applicable to improve symptoms in the patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.137-144
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• 2005

Objective : This study was designed to assess the heart rate variablitv of patients with Parkinson's disease according to Hoehn-Yahr stage. Methods : Subjects were voluntarily recruited by newspapers and internet. All the subjects are confirmed as idiopathic parkinson's disease by a neurologist. The patients were grouped by Hoehn-Yahr(H-Y) stage. Heart rate variability was measured for 5 minutes after 5 minutes' bed rest. Subjects were comprised of 3 groups which were H-Y stage I (n=14), H-Y stage H(n=9), H-Y stage III(n=7). We compared the heart rate variability of each groups by one-way ANOVA test. We also studied the relationship between UPDRS score and Heat rate variability components (SDNN, RMS-SD and TP) by pearson correlation analysis and simple linear regressin analysis Results: Age, duration was matched among groups. SDNN, RMS-SD, TP were significantly decreased as H-Y stage increased(p<0.05). Especially there was significant difference between H-Y stage I and III group(p<0.05). But other components(Heart rate, LF, HF, LF/HF ratio) were not showed significant difference. SDNN, RMS-SD and TP were significantly decreased as UPDRS scores increase(p<0.05). Conclusion : This study suggests that the function of the autonomic nervous system decreases as Parkinson`s disease progresses.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2003

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate 1) the prevalence of depressive symptoms, 2) the severity of depressive symptoms, 3) the correlation of depressive symptoms with clinical variables, and 4) factors that contribute to depressive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. Methods: One hundred eighteen patients with Parkinson's disease referred from the Parkinson's Disease Clinic of Dong-A University Hospital, Busan, Korea, completed a self-administered questionnaire package, which included basic demographic data, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Parkinson's disease quality of life questionnaire, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision(SCL-90-R), and the Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. In addition, a structured interview and a complete neurological examination, including the Hoehn and Yahr stage, the motor part of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(some selected scales of UPDRS part III), the Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living scale(ADL), and the Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination were performed. Results: 1) Based on BDI score, subjects were divided into four groups:severely(40.7%), moderately(13.6%) and mildly(12.7%) depressive and non-depressive(33.1%). 2) The severity of depressive symptom in Parkinson's disease was positively correlated with Hoehn and Yahr(H & Y) stage(r=0.34, p<0.0001), the severity of motor symptom(r=0.35, p<0.0001), and trait anxiety inventory(r=0.33, p<0.001). On the other hand, the severity of depressive symptom was negatively correlated with educational level(r=-0.34, p<0.001), ADL(r=-0.37, p<0.0001) and Parkinson's disease quality of life (PDQL)(r=-0.69, p<0.0001). Among several clinical variables, the PDQL was the most influential factor predicting whether the depressive symptom was present or not. Conclusion: This study suggests that depressive symptom is very prevalent among patients with Parkinson's disease. Data from this study indicate that medical staffs who take care of patients with Parkinson's disease should pay attention to finding and treating depressive symptom among their patients. With appropriate psychiatric intervention, patient's depressive symptom can be minimized or alleviated and thus, the quality of life in these patients is likely enhanced.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.283-295
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• 2009

Objectives : Parkinson's disease is a chronic neuron-degenerative disease. The medication of dopamine, one of the most common treatment for the disease, has effects of improving the symptom, but when taken for a long term, the medicine brings about side-effects such as the phenomenon of medicinal efficacy disappearance and dyskinesia. In addition, it doesn't have any effects in slowing down or stopping the development of Parkinson's disease. Methods : Accordingly, this study aims to investigate the clinical cases to stop or improve the development of Parkinson's disease by carrying out an independent treatment with Oriental medicine and a combined treatment with Western and Oriental medicines respectively for over 6 months. Results and Conclusions : The results of the study is expected to be an important precedent for the treatment of neuron-degenerative diseases of cranial nerve including Parkinson's disease in the future.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.58-63
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• 2005

Objectives: REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), characterized by excessive motor activity during REM sleep, is associated with loss of muscle atonia. In recent years, it has been reported that RBD has high co-morbidity with CNS disorders (especially, Parkinson's disease, dementia, multiple system atrophy, etc.). We aimed to assess differences in clinical and polysomnographic findings among RBD patients, depending on the presence or absence of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Methods: The medical records and polysomnographic data of 81 patients who had been diagnosed as having RBD were reviewed. The patients were classified into two groups: associated RBD (aRBD, i.e., with a clinical history and/or brain MRI evidence of CNS disorder) and idiopathic RBD (iRBD, i.e., without a clinical history and/or brain MRI evidence of CNS disorder) groups. Twenty-one patients (25.9%) belonged to the aRBD group and 60 patients (74.1%) belonged to the iRBD group. The clinical characteristics and polysomnographic findings of the two groups were compared. Results: Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), i.e., PLMI (periodic limb movement index)>5, was observed more frequently in the aRBD group than in the iRBD group (p<0.001, Fisher's exact test). Also, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), i.e., RDI (respiratory disturbance index)>5, was found more frequently in the aRBD group (p=0.0042, Fisher's exact test). The percentages for slow wave sleep and sleep efficiency were significantly lower in the aRBD group than in the iRBD group. Conclusion: We found that 1 out of 4 RBD patients had associated CNS disorders, warranting more careful neurological evaluation and follow-up in this category of RBD. In this category of RBD patients, we also found more frequent PLMD and OSAS. These patients were also found to have lower slow wave sleep and sleep efficiency. In summary, RBD patients with associated CNS disorders suffer from more disturbed sleep than those without them.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.80-82
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• 2005

Background: Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) is closely related to Lewy body pathology. Pathological changes in medullar oblongata and pontine tegmentum have been reported in patients with subclinical motor symptom. Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) is mediated by vestibular nuclei in lower brainstem and reflects the function of lower brainstem. The purpose of our study is to estimate the lower brainstem function in IPD patients. Methods: Ten patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease underwent VEMP test. The patients were divided into Hohn-Yahr (H-Y) stage I (unilateral motor involvement) group and H-Y stage II or more severe (bilateral motor involvement) group. VEMP results were compared between groups using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Among patients, 6 patients showed abnormal VEMP (unilateral abnormality 2, bilateral abnormalities 4). Between H-Y stage I group and H-Y II,III group, there was no statistical difference in the results of VEMP. Conclusions: We concluded that the lower brainstem dysfunction reflected in VEMP could occur in IPD regardless of the progression of the disease.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.37-45
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• 2020

Purpose: Symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) include tremors, bradykinesia, and rigidity. The purpose was to explore the effects of breathing, meditation and qigong on the improving of insight, behavior, mood discomfort, depression, anxiety, and olfactory dysfunction, which are PD non-motor symptoms. Methods: Three stages of An's-4444 healing breathing, An's Gwanjeong healing meditation, and healing qigong performed 12 times for 80 minutes at a time in subjects with PD (11 patients), and pre- and post-measurements compared and evaluated. Results: The Integrated Parkinson's Rating Scale (UPDRSI) for mood discomfort after 12 healings was 69%. The Depression Scale (61%) for HAMD, and 64% for Anxiety (HAMA)), and the smell identification test (TSI) for a trial for olfactory dysfunction, improved to 82%, respectively. However, the numerical values after one month after 12 healing were almost same in all four scales. This means that the healing effect maintained until after one month. Conclusions: An's healing breathing, meditation and qigong therapy significantly improved insight, behavior, and mood discomfort, and non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and olfactory dysfunction. These results suggest that An's breathing, meditation and qigong therapy are valuable as a primary therapy to improve and heal non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients. Further research in biomedical science is needed.