• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.119-126
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• 2010

Synaptic adhesion molecules mediate synapse formation, maturation and maintenance. These proteins are localized at synaptic sites in neuronal axons and dendrites. These proteins function as a bridge of synaptic cleft via interaction with another synaptic adhesion molecules in the opposite side. They can interact with scaffold proteins via intracellular domain and recruit many synaptic proteins, signaling proteins and synaptic vesicles. Scaffold proteins function as a platform in dendritic spines or axonal terminals. Recently, many genetic studies have revealed that synaptic adhesion molecules and scaffold proteins are important in neurodevelopmental disorders, psychotic disorders, mood disorders and anxiety disorders. In this review, fundamental mechanisms of synapse formation and maturation related with synaptic adhesion molecules and scaffold proteins are introduced and their psychiatric implications addressed.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.52-62
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• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this study is to review pre-existing clinical practice guidelines for autism spectrum disorders, and refer those in developing a new practice guideline. Methods A total of 9 existing clinical practice guidelines for autism spectrum disorder developed from 2010 to 2016 were searched by Google scholar and Pubmed, and were reviewed those literatures in three parts: general, diagnosis & evaluation, and intervention. Results There were no consistency in the recommendation methods of 9 clinical care guidelines (such as the method of rating and recommendation intensity for diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment). However, in the diagnosis and evaluation section, frequently used evaluation and diagnostic tools are mentioned in most clinical practice guidelines, and the types of pharmacologic and non-pharmacological treatments that are mainly recommended in treatment are equally mentioned in most clinical practice guidelines could confirm. Conclusions 1. Some guideline recommendations are graded according to each criterion. Recommendations presented in various databases were based on systematic reviews or other literatures. The most utilized database were PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane. 2. DSM-5 and ICD-10 were the most common used diagnostic criteria, and DSM-IV was used as a diagnostic standard in the guideline published before 2013. The tools used for diagnosis and evaluation were also varied. However, most recommended ones were ADI-R, ADOS-G, and DISCO. 3. Treatment was largely divided into pharmacological intervention and non-pharmacological intervention. In some guideline, the interventions were divided into pediatric and adult. Most of the pharmacological interventions were not recommended due to lack of evidence, but in cases in which specific symptoms were aimed, they recommended to seek professional help. 4. In addition to interventions, each guideline referred to supportive interventions that may be helpful in the daily life of patients with ASD, which may need to be addressed in future clinical guidelines.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.394-395
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• 2022

Exergames are playing an important role in healthcare/rehabilitation. It has also been used to improve motivation among patients with reduced cognition. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of using augmented reality (AR) with game-based cognitive-motor training programs for executive function, restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in children with autism spectrum disorder. Sixteen children aged 6 -16 years were randomly allocated to the experimental group and control group. Outcome measures were performed before and after the intervention and included executive function, restricted and repetitive behavior. A satisfactory survey was conducted post-intervention. A statistically significant improvement was observed in working memory and cognitive flexibility in the experimental group (P<0.05). However, despite no statistical improvements in cognitive inhibition and four subscales of RRBs, promising changes were observed in all the subscales of the executive function and the behavioral outcomes. Parents appreciated the program and children enjoyed the interaction with the AR game-based training. The findings of this preliminary feasibility study showed that AR using Kinect v2 motion with a cognitive-motor game content can be used for children with autism. However, there is a need for conducting a large-scale study to evaluate his effectiveness on executive function and restricted and repetitive behaviors.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.153-163
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• 2018

The purpose of this research is to investigate the research trends on the clinical use of robots for children with autistic spectrum disorders. In order to understand research trends in the context of the clinical use of robots for children with ASD, recent studies on the use of robot in the educational and therapeutic intervention were examined. Critical literature review is used as research method. Recent studies of 17 articles are chosen with two filters of 1) publication years since 2009, and 2) two key-words; robot and ASD. Further, literature on research trends is scrutinized and categorized according to the kinds of robots that are used, the types of independent and dependent variables, and research methods. The result of this research indicated that recent years, the clinical use of interactive robots with children with disability has received considerable attention in light of the proven utility of educational and therapeutic intervention. Rapid progress in robotics, especially in the area of ASD, offers tremendous possibilities for innovation in treatment for children with ASD. In conclusion, this study addresses the need of further study on the implementation procedures and protocols of clinical robots that will make the adoption feasible and easy.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.213-219
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• 2013

Objectives : It is known that adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often concurrently exhibit attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The objective of this study is to investigate how ADHD symptoms modify clinical characteristics in adolescents with ASD. Methods : Subjects were recruited from the Program for the Education Enrichment of Relational Skills program, which is a program for adolescents with ASD to promote and train social skills. The study participants and their parents completed the study questionnaires, such as the ADHD rating scale, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, and Korean version of Child Behavior Checklist. Results : Adolescents with ASD and ADHD (N=19) were found to have more impaired sociality, less open communication with their parents, and more behavioral and emotional problems compared with adolescents with ASD, and without ADHD (N=28). Conclusion : Although further research is needed, the results of our study suggest that adolescents with ASD present different clinical characteristics when comorbid with ADHD.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.623-636
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• 2017

The use of virtual reality(VR)-based interventions for students with autism spectrum disorders(ASD) has received special attention as evidence-based practices for its feasiblity, practicality, and appropriateness. However, there is little research to investigate the effects of VR-based intervention for students with ASD in Korea. This study identifies and reviews studies applying VR-based interventions. In total, 13 experimental studies were found that examine the effects of VR interventions published from 1990 to 2016. The selected studies were analyzed by 6 variables including publication year, participants, research design, independent variable, dependent variable, and outcome. The results of this study showed the feasibility of the implementing VR-based interventions in various age group students with ASD. In addition, the utilization of VR techniques was particularly effective in improving a wide range of social communication skills including facial recognition, empathy, joint attention, understanding social context, and resolving issues due to limited cognitive abilities. Several recommendations for the future study on VR-based intervention for students with ASD such as interdisciplinary approach to VR-based interventions, support needs regarding characteristics of ASD, generalization and maintenance of acquired technology, and consideration for participants' cultural background. were discussed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.520-530
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to examine the status and perceptions, needs of speech language pathologists(SLPs) for the intervention of non-verbal autism spectrum disorders(ASD) through a survey. Among SLPs registered in the Korean Association of Speech-Language Pathologists (KSLP), 116 SLPs participated in this survey. The result is as follows. First, 96.6% of SLP reported that they had been referred for non-verbal ASD, and it was found that SELSI was the most used evaluation tool, and communication ability and social interaction were the most frequently used intervention goals. Second, 86.2% of the SLP said that speech therapy had difficulties, and the reason for the burden was the lack of speech therapy methods. Also, the level of knowledge of speech therapy for non-verbal ASD was low in the treatment area, and the level of confidence responded positively only in communication ability and social interaction. Third, education that was considered necessary within the curriculum was education on treatment methods, and it was found that the improvement points of education other than regular courses were increased education such as expert courses and workshops and activation of supervision. From the results of this study, it is expected that the related curriculum will be expanded and improved in the future.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2011

Purpose: To investigate the clinical characteristics of late-onset epilepsy combined with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and the relationship between certain types of electroencephalography (EEG) abnormalities in ASD and associated neuropsychological problems. Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with ASD in early childhood and later developed clinical seizures were reviewed retrospectively. First, the clinical characteristics, language and behavioral regression, and EEG findings of these late-onset epilepsy patients with ASD were investigated. The patients were then classified into 2 groups according to the severity of the EEG abnormalities in the background rhythm and paroxysmal discharges. In the severe group, EEG showed persistent asymmetry, slow and disorganized background rhythms, and continuous sharp and slow waves during slow sleep (CSWS). Results: Between the two groups, there was no statistically significant difference in mean age (P=0.259), age of epilepsy diagnosis (P=0.237), associated family history (P=0.074), and positive abnormal magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings (P=0.084). The severe EEG group tended to have more neuropsychological problems (P=0.074). The severe group statistically showed more electrographic seizures in EEG (P=0.000). Rett syndrome was correlated with more severe EEG abnormalities (P=0.002). Although formal cognitive function tests were not performed, the parents reported an improvement in neuropsychological function on the follow up checkup according to a parent's questionnaire. Conclusion: Although some ASD patients with late-onset epilepsy showed severe EEG abnormalities, including CSWS, they generally showed an improvement in EEG and clinical symptoms in the longterm follow up. In addition, severe EEG abnormalities tended to be related to the neuropsychological function.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to verify the validity and clinical cutoff score of the Child Behavior Checklist for ages 1.5-5 (CBCL 1.5-5) for diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Methods: 44 ASD infants and 100 normal infants participated. T-test, discriminant analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and odds ratio analysis were performed on the data. Results: Discriminant validity was confirmed by mean differences and discriminant analysis on the subscales of Withdrawn, Attention problems, Internalizing problems, Externalizing problems, Total problems, and all Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-oriented scales between the two groups. ROC curve analysis showed that Withdrawn, Attention problems, Internalizing problems, Externalizing problems, Total problems, DSM pervasive developmental problems, DSM attention deficit/hyperactivity problems, and DSM oppositional defiant problems significantly predicted ASD infants compared to normal infants. In addition, the clinical cutoff score criteria adopted in the Korean CBCL 1.5-5 for subscales of Withdrawn, Attention problems, Internalizing problems, Externalizing problems, Total problems, DSM pervasive developmental problems, DSM attention deficit/hyperactivity problems, and DSM oppositional defiant problems were shown to be valid. Conclusion: The subscales of Withdrawn, Attention problems, Internalizing problems, Externalizing problems, Total problems, DSM pervasive developmental problems, DSM attention deficit/hyperactivity problems, and DSM oppositional defiant problems significantly discriminated for the diagnosis of ASD.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.99-103
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• 2021

The purpose of this review is to examine the clinical use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in children and adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Many studies have been conducted using objective evaluation tools for psychiatric evaluation, such as predicting psychiatric symptoms and treatment responses. Compared to other tools, fNIRS has the advantage of being a noninvasive, inexpensive, and portable method and can be used with patients in the awake state. This study mainly focused on its use in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder. We hope that research involving fNIRS will be actively conducted in various diseases in the future.