• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.163-170
• /
• 2014

This study is to investigate neuro-anatomical correlation between neuropsychological results and cerebral cortex thickness of cognitive ability in the brain MRI targeting the patients with mild cognitive impairment. It was that 78 people who were diagnosed as first Parkinson's disease followed by neuropsychological screening battery(Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment: 39 people; Parkinson's disease with normal cognition: 39 people) and 32 people of normal group were selected. Correlation between mild cognitive impairment and normal cognitive impairment and correlation between neuropsychological screening battery and cerebral cortex thickness in the brain MRI were performed by independent sample t-test or Pearson correlation coefficient and then level of significance of collected data was verified in p<0.05. As a result, cerebral cortex thickness of the Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment in both side precuneas and right inferiortemporal lobe had statistically significant decrease. In addition, function of visuospatial ability, verbal and visual memory was reduced in neuropsychological screening battery for cognitive assessment. Especially, there was correlation between neuropsychological screening battery of verbal and visual memory anatomical left precuneus.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.37-45
• /
• 2017

Background: The presence of visuospatial impairment can make patients slow functional recovery and impede the rehabilitation process in TBI patients. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate effects of prism adaptation treatment for functional outcomes in patients following traumatic brain injury. Methods: The subject received prism adaptation treatment for 2 weeks additionally during traditional rehabilitation for 4 weeks. The Patient has prism adaptation treatment while wearing wedge prisms that shift the external environment about $12^{\circ}$ leftward. The patient received 10 sessions, 15-20min each session. Outcome measures were visuospatial deficit(line bisection, latter cancellation), Visual and spatial perception(LOTCA-visual perception and spatial perception), motor function of upper extremity(FMA U/E; Fugl-Meyer motor assessment upper extremity, ARAT; Action research arm test), balance(BBS; Berg Balance Scale), mobility(FAC; Functional ambulation classification) and functional level(FIM; Functional independent measure). All Assessments took place on study entry and post-treatment assessments were performed at discharge from the hospital. Results: After prism adaptation, the visuospatial impairment scores improved as indicated in the line bisection(-15.2 to -6.02), latter cancellation(2 to 0) and LOTCA- spatial perception scores(7 to 9). The upper motor function improved as indicated in the scores of affected FMA U/E(21 to 40) and ARAT(4 to 22). Ambulation and balance improved as indicated in the BBS scores(25 to 38) and FAC scores(0 to 4). ADL function improved as indicated in the FIM total scores 54 to 70(motor 34 to 61, cognition 20 to 29). Conclusion: Prism adaptation did improve functional level such as motor functions and ADL abilities in TBI patient. Further research is recommended.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.173-179
• /
• 2004

Amyloid ${\beta}-peptide\;(A{\beta})$ contributes to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), causing neuronal death through apoptosis. In this study, the neuroprotective role of BF-7, extracted form sericultural product, was examined against $A{\beta}-induced$ toxicity in cultured human neuronal cell SKN-SH. In order to know if the BF-7 has positive role on the cognition and memory in human, the mixture of BF-7, DHA and EPA (BDE) was examined using Rey Kim and K-WAIS test with 50 healthy high school student. We report here that BDE significantly attenuated $A{\beta}-induced$ apoptosis through the reduction of ROS accumulation, and diminished caspase-like protease activity. Moreover, the memory index and memory preservation, and attentative concentration of BDE treated group for 1 month were significantly improved, in contrast to the case of placebo control treated with DHA and EPA. This result represent that the BF-7 play significant positive role on learning memory. Taken together, our result suggested the natural product BF-7 is a good substance for the brain functionally and physiologically.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.10-18
• /
• 2017

Occupational hazards of firefighting and rescue works include frequent exposure to emergencies and life-threatening situations. These stressful work conditions of being constantly under pressure and exposed to potentially traumatic events put them at higher risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), compared to the general population. PTSD is a potentially debilitating mental disorder, due to persistent intrusive thoughts, negative alterations of mood and cognition, hypervigilance, avoidance of similar situations and reminders, and re-experiences of the traumatic event. Previous studies have shown a relatively high prevalence of PTSD among firefighters, indicating the need for a systematic approach of early detection and prevention. Therefore, a critical review of the current literature on PTSD in firefighters would provide valuable insights into developing effective prevention and intervention programs. Literature indicated that there are risk factors of PTSD in firefighters, such as pre-existing depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, occupational stress, physical symptoms, and binge drinking, whereas social support and adequate rewards are protective factors. Although there are differences in the prevalence of PTSD across studies, partly due to various assessment tools utilized, different sample sizes, and sample characteristics, over one tenth of the firefighters were estimated to have PTSD. The current review warrants further investigations to precisely assess PTSD and co-morbid mental disorders, functional outcomes, and associated factors, and to develop evidence-based preventive and interventional programs to help firefighters with PTSD.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.54-59
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Growth hormone (GH) therapy substantially improves several cognitive functions in PWS. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of GH on cognition remain unclear in PWS. In this study, we investigated the effects of recombinant human GH on the gene expression of GABAB receptor subunits and GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis genes in the brain regions of PWS-mimicking mice (Snord116del). Methods: Snord116del mice were injected subcutaneously with 1.0 mg/kg GH or saline, once daily for 7 days. The collected brain tissues were analyzed for mRNA content using quantitative PCR (qPCR) in the cerebellum, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. Results: GH increased the mRNA expression level of the $GABA_{B1}$ receptor subunit ($GABA_{BR1}$) and IGF-1R in the cerebellum. Furthermore, a significant positive correlation was found between the level of $GABA_{BR1}$ mRNA and the expression of the IGF-1R transcript. GH also induced an increase in the mRNA expression of IGF-2 and IGF-2R in the cerebellum. Conclusion: These data indicate that GH may provide beneficial effects on cognitive function through its influences on the expression of $GABA_{BR1}$ and GH/IGF-1 axis genes in PWS patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.37-47
• /
• 2011

This study was aimed to investigate the memory enhancing effect of Jeongjihwan against scopolamine-induced amnesia in C57BL/6 mice. To determine the effect of Jeongjihwan on the memory and cognitive function, we have injected scopolamine (1 mg/kg, i.p.) into C57BL/6 mice 30 min before beginning of behavior tests. We have conducted Y-maze, Morris water-maze, passive avoidance and fear conditioning tests to compare learning and memory functions. Scopolamine-induced behavior changes of memory impairment were significantly restored by oral administration of Jeongjihwan (100 or 200 mg/kg/day). To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying the memory enhancing effect of Jeongjihwan, we have examined the antioxidant defense system and neurotrophic factors. Jeongjihwan treatment attenuated intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species and up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of antioxidant enzymes as assessed by RT-PCR and western blot analysis, respectively. Jeongjihwan also increased protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) compared with those in the scopolamine-treated group. Furthermore, as an upstream regulator, the activation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) via phosphorylation was assessed by Western blot analysis. Jeongjihwan elevated the phosphorylation of CREB (p-CREB), which seemed to be mediated partly by extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B/Akt. These findings suggest that Jeongjihwan may have preventive and therapeutic potential in the management of amnesia.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.462-469
• /
• 2013

Eucommia ulmoides Oliv. Bark (EUE) is commonly used for the treatment of hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbago, and ischialgia as well as to promote longevity. In this study, we tested the effects of EUE aqueous extract in graded doses to protect and enhance cognition in scopolamine-induced learning and memory impairments in mice. EUE significantly improved the impairment of short-term or working memory induced by scopolamine in the Y-maze and significantly reversed learning and memory deficits in mice as measured by the passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests. One day after the last trial session of the Morris water maze test (probe trial session), EUE dramatically increased the latency time in the target quadrant in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EUE significantly inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) activities in the hippocampus and frontal cortex in a dose-dependent manner. EUE also markedly increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylation of cAMP element binding protein (CREB) in the hippocampus of scopolamine-induced mice. Based on these findings, we suggest that EUE may be useful for the treatment of cognitive deficits, and that the beneficial effects of EUE are mediated, in part, by cholinergic signaling enhancement and/or protection.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.232-238
• /
• 2011

Objectives Optimized voxel based morphometry (VBM) has been increasingly applied to investigate differences in the brain morphology between a group of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and control subjects. Optimized VBM permits comparison of gray matter (GM) volume at voxel-level from the entire brain. The purpose of this study was to assess the regional GM volume change measured by optimized VBM in MCI subjects compared to controls. Methods Twenty patients with MCI and 20 control subjects with normal cognition were recruited for this study. We applied the optimized VBM protocol to the image data including study-specific template and the modulation of the data with the Jacobian determinants. GM volume differences between the MCI subjects and the control subjects and their correlations with the neuropsychological performances were investigated. Results Optimized VBM analysis revealed GM volume reduction in hippocampus, precentral gyrus, insula and parietal operculum in the MCI group compared to the control group (family wise error corrected p < 0.05). Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD-K) word list recall scores were significantly correlated with the GM volumes of hippocampus, precuneus and posterior cingulate in the MCI group (FWE corrected p < 0.05). Conclusions The results confirm previous findings of atrophic changes in medial temporal lobe and parietal lobe in the MCI group and suggest that these abnormalities may be related with cognitive decline and prognosis in patients with MCI.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.301-308
• /
• 2002

This research was performed to analyze quantitatively how spiritual stress affects some ERPs on human through sight stimulus after the settlement of visual and auditory integration environment in three dimension space. We measured ERPs in the normal state and spiritual stress sessions separately. The subjects were 10 normal men and women and vital signs was recorded from Fpl, Fz, Cz, Pz, O1, O2's scalps. The experiment was done in isolated room where electro-magnetic effect do not affect. The result showed that P300's amplitude was a little higher under stress session and latent period in this resulted in longer time. We recorded through voltage variation the activity of brain which is in charge of human's perception. cognition, process of action and evaluated the effect of spiritual stress. We expected that the result of this research can be used to evaluate the malfunction of brain.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.93-102
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study is to find out how to measure the stress related to accidents at the construction site promptly and conveniently to prevent safety accidents of construction workers. Accordingly, we analyzed the correlations between the questionnaire tool index that measures the stress associated with complex psychology of humans by integrating emotion, cognition, physical and behavioral responses, and basic brain waves, SEF-90, concentration, stress index from brain wave. As a result, which had the highest correlation with the stress measured through the questionnaire, was the SEF-90, and the regression analysis between two independent variables yielded a specific regression equation. This suggests the possibility of measuring the integrated stress of construction workers through the EEG signal at the construction site, and it can be used for the safety management of the construction site in the future.