• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권11호
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• pp.767-776
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• 2014

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is clinically characterized with progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. Synaptic dysfunction is an early pathological feature that occurs prior to neurodegeneration and memory dysfunction. Mounting evidence suggests that aggregation of amyloid-${\alpha}$ ($A{\alpha}$) and hyperphosphorylated tau leads to synaptic deficits and neurodegeneration, thereby to memory loss. Among the established genetic risk factors for AD, the ${\varepsilon}4$ allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE) is the strongest genetic risk factor. We and others previously demonstrated that apoE regulates $A{\alpha}$ aggregation and clearance in an isoform-dependent manner. While the effect of apoE on $A{\alpha}$ may explain how apoE isoforms differentially affect AD pathogenesis, there are also other underexplored pathogenic mechanisms. They include differential effects of apoE on cerebral energy metabolism, neuroinflammation, neurovascular function, neurogenesis, and synaptic plasticity. ApoE is a major carrier of cholesterols that are required for neuronal activity and injury repair in the brain. Although there are a few conflicting findings and the underlying mechanism is still unclear, several lines of studies demonstrated that apoE4 leads to synaptic deficits and impairment in long-term potentiation, memory and cognition. In this review, we summarize current understanding of apoE function in the brain, with a particular emphasis on its role in synaptic plasticity and the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, involving low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1), syndecan, and LRP8/ApoER2.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.9-18
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• 2021

Purpose : In this study, we applied a computerized cognitive rehabilitation program (CoTras-C) for children with cerebral palsy. Research was conducted to investigate the impact of upper limb function, sensory function, and activities of daily living. Methods : The study period lasted 10 weeks from October 2019 to December 2019. The study subjects were 12 subjects according to the selection criteria, and a computerized cognitive rehabilitation program (CoTras-C) was conducted twice a week for 30 minutes before and after the application of basic occupational therapy. Results : As a result of the computerized cognitive rehabilitation program, scores of upper limb function (QUEST), sensory function (SSP-2), and daily life activity (WeeFIM) were significantly improved (p>.05). From the result of examining the motor area, improvement in fine-motor function and protective extension through touch pad or controller operation was found. It also showed improvement in activities of daily living including motor and activities of daily living including social cognition. In the sensory function evaluation, it was not significant in movement sensitivity. Significant differences were shown in the items excluding olfactory/taste sensitivity. Conclusion : The application of the computerized cognitive rehabilitation program (CoTras-C) showed significant results in upper limb function, sensory function, and daily life activities of children with brain lesions. Based on these results, future studies need to generalize the study by expanding the age or population of children with brain lesions, or by expanding the diversity of diseases and environments.

• PNF and Movement
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.31-39
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• 2019

Purpose: Cognitive function is a main concern for rehabilitation progression in individuals who have sustained brain damage, even among those whose motor function has returned after brain damage. The purpose of this study was to investigate how cognitive impairment relates to functional independence in postural stability and gait performance in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke. Methods: This was an observational design in an outpatient rehabilitation hospital. Twenty-eight adults with chronic hemiparetic stroke, receiving a course in an outpatient rehabilitation program, participated in this study. They were divided into two groups (i.e., non-cognitive impairment and cognitive impairment groups) via a cut-off score of 23 or less on a mini-mental state examination. Functional independence was assessed with the timed up-and-go test (TUG), 10-meter walk test (10mWT), five times sit-to-stand test (FTSST), Berg balance scale (BBS), and modified Barthel index (MBI). The independent t-test was used for statistical analysis when comparing the two groups. Results: The cognitive impairment group had less functional independence, balance, and gait performance than those of the non-cognitive impairment group had. The former also showed a statistically significant decrease in their TUG score, FTSST score, BBS score, and MBI score compared to the latter, but not in their 10mWT score (p<0.05). Although the non-cognitive impairment group walked faster than the cognitive impairment group did, that difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that cognitive impairment relates to functional independence in postural stability and the activities of daily living. In rehabilitation settings, cognitive impairment would be considered a major component in therapeutic rehabilitation to overcome the patients difficult physical problems and to treat for improving functional independence more after stroke.

• 대한신경과학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.302-309
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• 2018

Background: Although orthostatic hypotension (OH) and cognitive impairment (CI) are common non- motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), the relationship between OH and CI remains to be clarified. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between OH and CI in PD. Methods: We recruited 192 patients who were diagnosed as PD based on the UK Brain Bank diagnostic criteria. The Hoehn & Yahr stages were ranged I to III and patients underwent extensive clinical evaluation, including brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for cerebral white matter hyperintensity (WMH), tilt table test, the Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessments and the Korean version of Mini-Mental Status Examination in one month from the first clinic visit. The participants were divided into two groups according to the presence of OH (OH+ vs. OH-) and cognitive function (cognitive normal, CN vs. CI), respectively. Results: Significant relationship between OH and cognitive function (p=0.04) was found in our patients. The patients with OH+ had higher risk of CI by 2.6 times than that of OH- patients. Maximum heart rate change during tilt table test was correlated with cognitive function and white matter changes, whereas blood pressure change during tilt table test showed no correlation with those parameters. Conclusions: There was significant relationship between OH and CI in PD. Therefore, PD patients with either symptom may need periodic evaluation and proper management for OH and cognitive functions.

• 기독교교육논총
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• 제64권
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• pp.145-171
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• 2020

오래 전부터 기독교 신앙공동체는 교회의 윤리적 규범과 행동양식을 성찰 대상으로 삼은 채 어떤 형태의 도덕 판단이 적절하고, 올바른 기독교적 행동양식이 무엇인지 규명하려고 노력해왔다. 기독교교육 역시 피아제와 콜벅의 심리적 합리주의에서 근거를 찾으려고 했으나 이성 중심의 구조발달주의는 해답을 제시하지 못했다. 실제로 도덕 판단 과정에서 정서를 배제한 채 인지 또는 이성을 과도하게 강조하는 한편, 무엇보다 자율성을 중시했던 구조발달주의는 기대했던 것과 달리 도덕적 상대주의를 초래하고 말았다. 뿐만 아니라 인간의 도덕 추론과 행위 사이의 간극을 적절하게 해명하지 못했을 뿐더러 도덕성을 사회문화적 맥락에서 과도하게 해석하려고 했다는 비판을 받았다. 이런 구조발달주의의 한계는 도덕 판단 능력이 뇌에 물리적으로 배선되어 있고, 피질과 번연계 간의 네트워크를 상당 부분 의지하고 있다고 주장하는 신경윤리, 특히 도덕 심리 이론에 의해 최근에 재해석되고 있다. 이 논문은 새롭게 등장한 신경윤리의 연구주제 가운데 일부를 검토하고 나서 도덕성을 신경과학적으로 설명하는 주요 이론을 중심으로 기독교교육학이 향후 고려해야 할 시사점을 거론하는 것을 목적으로 삼고 있다.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.277-285
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• 2022

Objectives: Gastrodia elata (GE) has been used to treat cognition impairment, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of GE water extracts (GEE) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AD model in mice. (Aβ). Methods: We classified six groups as follow; group 1: control (CON), group 2: LPS (0.5 mg/kg/day, four times), group 3: 4 mg/kg donepezil (DP), group 4: 100 mg/kg GEE+LPS, group 5: 200 mg/kg GEE+LPS, group 6: 500 mg/kg GEE+LPS. Results: We found that GEE has an effect that inhibits decrease of discrimination index in object recognition test, as well as spontaneous alteration in the Y-maze test by LPS. Treatment with LPS increased amlyloid-β (Aβ) concentration, and decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in cerebral cortex of mice. However, GEE significantly protected against LPS-induced Aβ and BDNF changes. Our findings also showed that the inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)] mRNA and protein were up-regulated by the LPS injection. But GEE significantly suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines increase in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: This study suggests that the GEE may be an effective AD therapeutic agent, in treating neurodegenerative diseases including AD.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.612-624
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• 2023

The gut-brain axis encompasses a bidirectional communication pathway between the gastrointestinal microbiota and the central nervous system. There is some evidence to suggest that probiotics may have a positive effect on cognitive function, but more research is needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn. Inflammation-induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may affect cognitive function. To confirm the effect of probiotics on oxidative stress induced by LPS, the relative expression of antioxidant factors was confirmed, and it was revealed that the administration of probiotics had a positive effect on the expression of antioxidant-related factors. After oral administration of probiotics to mice, an intentional inflammatory response was induced through LPS i.p., and the effect on cognition was confirmed by the Morris water maze test, nitric oxide (NO) assay, and interleukin (IL)-1β enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay performed. Experimental results, levels of NO and IL-1β in the blood of LPS i.p. mice were significantly decreased, and cognitive evaluation using the Morris water maze test showed significant values in the latency and target quadrant percentages in the group that received probiotics. This proves that intake of these probiotics improves cognitive impairment and memory loss through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.295-302
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• 2024

Walking can have a positive impact on cognitive function in adolescents. This study aimed to compare the effects of walking with sneakers and barefoot on cognitive ability in adolescents. Fifty-nine adolescent male students were included in the study and assigned to the control (n = 20), sneaker (n = 19), and barefoot (n = 20) groups. The barefoot and sneakers group performed a 40-min walking exercise four times a week for 12 weeks during the morning physical activity time, while the control group performed self-study. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain activity variables were measured before and after the exercise program. The results showed that after 12 weeks, the barefoot group had a significant decrease in Gamma and H-beta waves and a significant increase in sensorimotor rhythm (SMR) and Alpha waves. Conversely, the control group showed a significant decrease in SMR waves and increase in Theta waves. The sneaker group showed a significant decrease in SMR waves alone. In an eyes-open resting state, the barefoot group showed a significant increase in H-beta, M-beta, SMR, and Alpha waves. The barefoot group also had a significant increase in cognitive speed and concentration and a significant decrease in brain stress. Taken together, barefoot walking can effectively enhance cognitive ability in adolescents, as demonstrated by the significant variation in EEG activity. This research highlights the potential benefits of barefoot walking as a simple and effective form of exercise for enhancing cognitive function in adolescents.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.102-112
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of chronic exposure by welders to manganese (Mn) through an analysis of the degree of brain activity in different activities such as cognition and motor activities using the neuroimaging technique of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The neurotoxic effect that Mn has on the brain was examined as well as changes in the neuro-network in motor areas, and the usefulness of fMRI was evaluated as a tool to determine changes in brain function from occupational exposure to Mn. Methods: A survey was carried out from July 2010 to October 2010 targeting by means of a questionnaire 160 workers from the shipbuilding and other manufacturing industries. Among them, 14 welders with more than ten years of job-related exposure to Mn were recruited on a voluntary basis as an exposure group, and 13 workers from other manufacturing industries with corresponding gender and age were recruited as a control group. A questionnaire survey, a blood test, and an fMRI test were carried out with the study group as target. Results: Of 27 fMRI targets, blood Mn concentration of the exposure group was significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.001), and Pallidal Index (PI) of the welder group was also significantly higher than that of the control group (p<0.001). As a result of the survey, the score of the exposure group in self-awareness of abnormal nerve symptoms and abnormal musculoskeletal symptoms was higher than those of the control group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (p<0.05, respectively). In the correlation between PI and the results of blood tests, the correlation coefficient with blood Mn concentration was 0.893, revealing a significant amount of correlation (p<0.001). As for brain activity area within the control group, the right and the left areas of the superior frontal cortex showed significant activity, and the right area of superior parietal cortex, the left area of occipital cortex and cerebellum showed significant activity. Unlike the control group, the exposure group showed significant activity selectively on the right area of premotor cortex, at the center of supplementary motor area, and on the left side of superior temporal cortex. In the comparison of brain activity areas between the two groups, the exposure group showed a significantly higher activation state than did the control group in such areas as the right and the left superior parietal cortex, superior temporal cortex, and cerebellum including superior frontal cortex and the right area of premotor cortex. However, in nowhere did the control group show a more activated area than did the exposure group. Conclusions: Chronic exposure to Mn increased brain activity during implementation of hand motor tasks. In an identical task, activation increased in the premotor cortex, superior temporal cortex, and supplementary motor area. It was also discovered that brain activity increase in the frontal area and occipital area was more pronounced in the exposure group than in the control group. This result suggests that chronic exposure to Mn in the work environment affects brain activation neuro-networks.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.485-491
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• 2010

With an increase in the number of people suffering from ageing-related diseases in our rapidly aging society, interests in natural products such as maca(Lepidium meyenii), which has properties of enhancing cognition and sexual performance, have increased. This study was conducted to assess the effects of 7 weeks of maca extract supplementation(0.5~2.0 g/kg BW) on scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice and on sperm count in male mice. All doses of maca supplementation significantly protected against scopolamine-induced amnesia as determined by a Morris water maze, but not according to passive avoidance tests. Maca supplementation did not affect acetylcholinesterase activity in the whole brain, nor the testicular sperm count of male mice. This study suggests that maca may have some neuroprotective properties in mice, which will be further examined by future studies.