• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.297-305
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• 1998

This study used in vivo intracellular recording in rat hippocampus to evaluate the effect of lidocaine and MK-801 on the membrane properties and the synaptic responses of individual neurons to electrical stimulation of the commissural pathway. Cells in control group typically fired in a tonic discharge mode with an average firing frequency of $2.4{\pm}0.9$ Hz. Neuron in MK-801 treated group (0.2 mg/kg, i.p.) had an average input resistance of $3.28{\pm}5.7\;M{\Omega}$ and a membrane time constant of $7.4{\pm}1.8$ ms. These neurons exhibited $2.4{\pm}0.2$ ms spike durations, which were similar to the average spike duration recorded in the neurons of the control group. Slightly less than half of these neurons were firing spontaneously with an average discharge rate of $2.4{\pm}1.1$ Hz. The average peak amplitude of the AHP following the spikes in these groups was $7.4{\pm}0.6$ mV with respect to the resting membrane potential. Cells in MK-801 and lidocaine treated group (5 mg/kg, i.c.v.) had an average input resistance of $3.45{\pm}6.0\;M{\Omega}$ and an average time constant of $8.0{\pm}1.4$ ms. The cells were firing spontaneously at an average discharge rate of $0.6{\pm}0.4$ Hz. Upon depolarization of the membrane by 0.8 nA for 400 ms, all of the tested cells exhibited accommodation of spike discharge. The most common synaptic response contained an EPSP followed by early-IPSP and late-IPSP. Analysis of the voltage dependence revealed that the early-IPSP and late-IPSP were putative $Cl^--and\;K^+-dependent$, respectively. Systemic injection of the NMDA receptor blocker, MK-801, did not block synaptic responses to the stimulation of the commissural pathway. No significant modifications of EPSP, early-IPSP, or late-IPSP components were detected in the MK-801 and/or lidocaine treated group. These results suggest that MK-801 and lidocaine manifest their CNS effects through firing pattern of hippocampal pyramidal cells and neural network pattern by changing the synaptic efficacy and cellular membrane properties.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.161-167
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of this study was to help the rapid and effective eye-tests of old patients by developing an optometric questionnaire for the elderly suitable for optical shops in Korea. Methods: We surveyed several previous studies about the age-related changes of the eye, and deduced 10 items which were appropriate for optometric eye-tests. Excluding the items that could be easily found in a routine eye-test and that was just physiological changes, we principally chose anomaly items which could be catched by simple oral questions. The questionnaire was mainly composed of clinically important items that were frequently observed. Results: To diagnose optometric symptoms related to eye-aging, we listed 15 questions on the questionnaire for the elderly. Each of the 15 questions was respectively about the decline in the amplitude of accommodation (no.1), anisometropia (no.2), xerophthalmia (no.3), muscae volitantes (no.4-5), dark adaptation (no.6) light and dark adaptation (no.7), contrast sensitivity (no.8), contrast sensitivity and anisometropia (no.9), contrast sensitivity and colour vision (no.10), the field of view (no.11), stereoscopic vision (no.12), colour vision (no.13), cataract (no.14), and presbyopia (no.15). Each question was easy to understand and related to the generally observed symptoms. Conclusions: Our optometric questionnaire for the elderly, which was developed by the procedure mentioned above, was expected to be a help for examining the aging eye and offer the basis of eye-tests of older patients in Korean optical shops.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.171-177
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between reading ability and binocular functions, based on self tests through surveys. The possibility of the reading ability tests used in this study as a tool on the determination about vision efficiency was also evaluated. Methods: Through reading ability tests about 138 university students, 72 students (52.2%) of them were first selected. Through self tests about dyslexia and light sensitivity, 38 students (52.7%) of the first selected students were secondly selected, whose extents are more than 3. Binocular tests were carried out about three groups (high, middle, low) of these secondly selected students. Tests about NPCs, distance and near phoria, amplitude of accommodation, fusional vergence, AC/A ratio, accommodative facility, and vergence facility were performed as binocular tests. Results: NPCs were closest to eyes at high groups. Fusional vergence, AC/A ratio, accommodative facility, and vergence facility of high group showed higher than other groups. The phoria at middle group showed higher than other groups. Conclusions: We found that reading ability and some of binocular functions were closely related. Therefore, vision training, associated with insufficiencies of binocular functions, is expected to improve reading ability.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2002

It is well known that the maximum amplitude of accommodation decreases with increasing age.(Presbyopia). With single vision lenses presbyopia can be corrected only for one viewing distance. With progressive power lenses presbyopia can be corrected for all viewing distances. But there are some other changes in the visual system with age which can not be corrected by spectacle lenses. Pupillary diameter decreases and the light transmission of the ocular media decreases. Therefore old people need more light, they need better illumination. Cone density in the retina decreases, this is only one example for changes in the sensory system. These changes in the visual system cause changes in visual functions. At the age of 80 visual acuity has decreased to half. Contrast sensitivity for gratings decreases mainly for high spatial frequencies very important is the increase of stray light in the ocular media and therefore the increase of glare. Veiling luminance increases by a multiple of approximately 4, Dark adaptation gets slower and light sensitivity is approximately 2 log units (factor 100) less when the eye is completely dark adapted. Also colour vision gets worse, especially at low luminances. Elderly people have problems with visual tasks which require divided attention between foveal and peripheral vision. An example is the measurement of the useful field of view. This useful field of view be expanded (improved) by visual training.