• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2010

There are a great numbers of disabled individuals who cannot freely move or control specific parts of their body because of serious neurological diseases such as spinal cord injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, brainstem stroke, and so on. Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) can help them to drive and control external devices using only their brain activity, without the need for physical body movements. Over the past 30 years, several Bel research programs have arisen and tried to develop new communication and control technology for those who are completely paralyzed. Thanks to the rapid development of computer science and neuroimaging technology, new understandings of brain functions, and most importantly many researchers' efforts, Bel is now becoming 'practical' to some extent. The present review article summarizes the current state of electroencephalogram (EEG)-based Bel, which have been being studied most widely, with specific emphasis on its basic concepts, system developments, and prospects for the future.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1995.10a
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 1995

In neurons, nitric oxide(NO) is produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase following stimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA) receptors and the subsequent influx of Ca$\^$2+/. NO, induced in this manner, reportedly plays critical roles in neuronal plasticity, including neurite outgrowth, synaptic transmission, and long-term potentiation(LTP) (1-7). However, excessive activation of NMDA receptors has also been shown to be associated with various neurological disorders, including focal ischemia, epilepsy, trauma, neuropathic pain and chronic neurodegenerative maladies, such as Parkinson's disease, Hungtington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(8). The paradox that nitric oxide(NO) has both neuroprotective and neurodestructive effects may be explained, at least in part, by the finding that NO effects on neurons are dependent on the redox state. This claim may be supported by the recent finding that tissue concentrations of cysteine approach 700 ${\mu}$M in settings of cerebral ischemia (9), levels of thiol that is expected to influence both the redox state of the system and the NO group itself(10).

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.26-30
• /
• 2018

Background: The motor unit number index (MUNIX) and motor unit size index (MUSIX) refer to the electrophysiological measurement of the motor units using the surface electromyographic interference pattern (SIP) recorded during graded muscle contraction. In order to improve the reliability and reproducibility of MUNIX by the systematization of the graded muscle contractions, we applied a digital hand instrument to the procedure of recording SIP signals. Methods: We tested the applicability of the digital instrument in the MUNIX technique by assessing the mean values and the reproducibility of the MUNIX involving the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) and the abductor digiti minimi (ADM) muscles in 30 healthy adults. Results: The digital dynamometer was successfully applied to the MUNIX measurements of the APB and ADM muscles, and showed high reproducibility across trials. Conclusions: Application of the digital instrument would be useful in improving the reliability and reproducibility of MUNIX.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.50 no.5
• /
• pp.237-246
• /
• 2017

Synapse is the basic structural and functional component for neural communication in the brain. The presynaptic terminal is the structural and functionally essential area that initiates communication and maintains the continuous functional neural information flow. It contains synaptic vesicles (SV) filled with neurotransmitters, an active zone for release, and numerous proteins for SV fusion and retrieval. The structural and functional synaptic plasticity is a representative characteristic; however, it is highly vulnerable to various pathological conditions. In fact, synaptic alteration is thought to be central to neural disease processes. In particular, the alteration of the structural and functional phenotype of the presynaptic terminal is a highly significant evidence for neural diseases. In this review, we specifically describe structural and functional alteration of nerve terminals in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease (HD).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.1
• /
• pp.20-30
• /
• 2024

Red ginseng (RG) is widely used as a herbal medicine. As the human lifespan has increased, numerous diseases have developed, and RG has also been used to treat various diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases are major problems that modern people face through their lives. Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are featured by progressive nerve system damage. Recently, neuroinflammation has emerged as a degenerative factor and is an immune response in which cytokines with nerve cells that constitute the nervous system. RG, a natural herbal medicine with fewer side effects than chemically synthesized drugs, is currently in the spotlight. Therefore, we reviewed studies reporting the roles of RG in treating neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases and found that RG might help alleviate neurodegenerative diseases by regulating neuroinflammation.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.22 no.9
• /
• pp.426-438
• /
• 2022

The current study explored the relative effects of reciprocal/empathic type on messages appealing to help patients with Lou Gehrig's disease and their family. By this, we attempted to examine the applicable scope of the reciprocal type, a way of appealing rationally in the delivery of helping messages. The focus was on the moderation of empathic concern trait, a representative altruistic personality. Conducted as the online experiment, empathic concern trait was measured in the first stage, and the helping messages presented each by reciprocal/empathic type were shown and evaluated in the second stage after about 7 days. The data of 134 people were finally analyzed, excluding insincere participants. As a result, the relative advantage of empathic type was shown, but it was only limited to the subject attitude. In the result of the interaction, the reciprocal type were as much or more influential as the empathic type for the individuals high in empathic concern trait.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.331-340
• /
• 2015

Mutations in Fused in Sarcoma (FUS) have been identified in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Pathological FUS is mis-localized to cytosol and forms aggregates associated with stress granules (SG), while FUS is normally localized to nucleus. However, it is largely unknown how pathological FUS forms SG-aggregates and which domains are responsible for this process. In this study, we examined cellular localization and aggregation of ALS-linked FUS missense mutants (P525L, R521C, R521H, R521G), analyzed the domains responsible for cytosolic FUS aggregation in HEK293T cells, and confirmed this in cultured mouse neurons. To do this, we firstly generated missense mutants of FUS and then examined their cellular localization. We found that P525L was mostly mis-localized to cytosol and formed FUS-positive SG aggregates while R521C, R521H, or R521G was localized to both nucleus and cytosol. To further characterize the domains required for aggregate formation of cytosolic FUS, we generated different domain-deletion mutants using FUS-∆17 which has a deletion of nuclear localization signal. Interestingly, cytosolic FUS without SYGQ and RGG1 domain or cytosolic FUS without RGG2-ZnF-RGG3 domain did not form FUS-positive SG aggregates, while cytosolic FUS without RRM domain generated more aggregates compared to FUS-∆17. Taken together, these data suggest that SYGQ-RGG1 or RGG2-ZnF-RGG3 domain contributes to formation of cytosolic aggregate, while RRM domain might interfere with FUS aggregation. Therefore, our studies will provide important insight for understanding cellular pathogenesis of neurodegeneration associated with FUS aggregate as well as finding therapeutic targets for ALS or FTD.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.77-86
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of Home Health Nursing based Respiratory Management Program (HHNbRMP) on unmet healthcare need and healthcare resource utilizations of patients applying the home mechanical ventilator in the home with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The subjects of this study were 40 patients placed in an experimental group(n=19) and a control group(n=21), respectively. This HHNbRMP based on Cox's interaction model was consisted of cognitive assent (education, specialized medical care, case management), internal motivation (airway clearance, thoracic and air accumulated exercise) and psychological response (meditation & active listening). The intervention was applied to experimental group during 12 weeks. As variables was measured at baseline, twelve, twenty-four weeks and healthcare unmet need, resource utilizations (admission, out patient department, emergency room) was measured at 24 weeks. The data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA and Repeated Measures ANCOVA. This intervention was not effective the unmet healthcare need. But the admission in to the hospital among the healthcare resource utilizations variables showed a significant difference at twenty-four weeks(t=4.17, p=.049). This results suggest that applying this program tailored to patients condition, utility of medical resource would be decreased, specially admission.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.136-141
• /
• 2009

Familial Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) is a progressive neurodegenetative disorder induced by mutations of the SOD1 gene. Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) is well-defined as a stress-inducible protein, however the its role in ALS protection has not yet been established. To investigate the role HSP27 may have in SOD1 mutant-mediated apoptosis, human SOD1 or HSP27 genes were fused with a PEP-1 peptide in a bacterial expression vector to produce a genetic in-frame fusion protein, which was then transduced into cells. We found the purified PEP-1-HSP27 fusion proteins can be transduced efficiently into neuronal cells and protect against cell death by enhancing mutant SOD1 activity. Moreover, transduced PEP-1-HSP27 efficiently prevents protein aggregation produced by oxidative stress. These results suggest that transduced HSP27 fusion protein may be explored as a potential therapeutic agent for FALS patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.236-245
• /
• 1997

The subjects of this clinical study are 17 patients with ALS(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), who were diagnosed in other or our hospital from January 1987 to Nomember 1997. The age of onset, clinical signs, type of ALS, methods of treatment and outcomes, etc. were studied and analyzed. The data are summarized as follows ; 1) The mean age was $52.4{\pm}11.5$ years old, and the ratio of male to female was 2.4:1. There is increasing frequency with rising age. 2) Pseudopolyneuritic type(67%) is the most in male patients, bulbar type(60%) is the most in female patients, and totaly Pseudopolyneuritic type(54%) is the most. 3) In the period of hospitalization after onset, 1 year(11 cases, 64.8%) is the most frequent, and 2 year(2 cases, 11.7%), 1 month(2 cases, 11.7%), 4 years(1 case, 5.9%) and 6 months(1 case, 5.9%) in orders. 4) In the duration of admission, 10 days(8 cases, 47.2%) is the most frequent, and 30 days(4 cases 23.5%), 2 months(2 cases, 11.7%), 20 days(2 cases, 11.7%) and 3 months(1 case, 5.9%) in orders. 5) In the signs of patients, muscle weakness(17 cases, 100%), bulbar signs(14 cases, 82.4%), increased reflex of deep tendon(10 case, 58.8%), muscle atrophy (7 cases, 41.2%) and fasciculations(7 cases, 41.2%) were in orders. 6) In the methods of treatment, herb-medication(17 cases, 100%), acupuncture therapy(16 cases, 94.1%), physical therapy(7 cases, 41.2%), moxibustion therapy(5 cases, 29.4%), cupping therapy(4 case, 23.5%) and moxa-pack(1 case 5.9%) were administered in orders. 7) As to the outcome of treatment, 8(47.1%) were no changed, 4(23.5%) improved, 4(23.5%) aggravated, 1(5.9%) expired in orders.