• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.264-272
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• 2021

Background: Gintonin is a ginseng-derived exogenous G-protein-coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand, which exhibits in vitro and in vivo functions against Alzheimer disease (AD) through lysophosphatidic acid 1/3 receptors. A recent study demonstrated that systemic treatment with gintonin enhances paracellular permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) through the LPA1/3 receptor. However, little is known about whether gintonin can enhance brain delivery of donepezil (DPZ) (Aricept), which is a representative cognition-improving drug used in AD clinics. In the present study, we examined whether systemic administration of gintonin can stimulate brain delivery of DPZ. Methods: We administered gintonin and DPZ alone or coadministered gintonin with DPZ intravenously or orally to rats. Then we collected the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and serum and determined the DPZ concentration through liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Results: Intravenous, but not oral, coadministration of gintonin with DPZ increased the CSF concentration of DPZ in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Gintonin-mediated enhancement of brain delivery of DPZ was blocked by Ki16425, a LPA1/3 receptor antagonist. Coadministration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) + gintonin with DPZ similarly increased CSF DPZ concentration. However, gintonin-mediated enhancement of brain delivery of DPZ was blocked by axitinip, a VEGF receptor antagonist. Mannitol, a BBB disrupting agent that increases the BBB permeability, enhanced gintonin-mediated enhancement of brain delivery of DPZ. Conclusions: We found that intravenous, but not oral, coadministration of gintonin facilitates brain delivery of DPZ from plasma via LPA1/3 and VEGF receptors. Gintonin is a potential candidate as a ginseng-derived novel agent for the brain delivery of DPZ for treatment of patients with AD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.923-927
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• 2013

Objective: This work aims to investigate the therapeutic regimen of brain metastatic cancers and the relationship between clinical features and prognosis. Methods: Clinical data of 184 patients with brain metastatic cancers were collected and analysed for the relationship between survival time and age, gender, primary diseases, quantity of brain metastatic foci, their position, extra cranial lesions, and therapeutic regimens. Results: The average age of onset was 59.1 years old. The median survival time (MST) was 15.0 months, and the patients with breast cancer as the primary disease had the longest survival time. Females had a longer survival time than males. Patients with meningeal metastasis had extremely short survival time. Those with less than 3 brain metastatic foci survived longer than patients with more than 3. The MST of patients receiving radiotherapy only and the patients receiving chemotherapy only were all 10.0 months while the MST of patients receiving combination therapy was 16.0 months. Multiple COX regression analysis demonstrated that gender, primary diseases, and quantity of brain metastatic foci were independent prognostic factors for brain metastatic cancers. Conclusions: Chemotherapy is as important as radiotherapy in the treatment of brain metastatic cancer. Combination therapy is the best treatment mode. Male gender, brain metastatic cancers originating in the gastrointestinal tract, more than 3 metastatic foci, and involvement of meninges indicate a worse prognosis.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.7-16
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• 2021

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe and noninvasive tool for investigating the cortical excitability of the human brain and the neurophysiological functions of GABAergic, glutamatergic, and cholinergic neural circuits. Neurophysiological biomarkers based on TMS parameters can provide information on the pathophysiology of dementia, and be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease and differentiate different types of dementia. This review introduces the basic principles of TMS, TMS devices and stimulating paradigms, several neurophysiological measurements, and the clinical implications of TMS for Alzheimer's disease.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 2020

Parvimonas micra is a non-spore-forming anaerobic gram-positive coccus and a known commensal of the skin, gums, vagina, and gastrointestinal tract. It is rarely associated with severe infections, which typically follow invasive procedures such as dental treatment. We describe a case of a brain abscess caused by P. micra in an immunocompetent 11-year-old boy without periodontal disease. He presented with a 7-day history of headaches and vomiting, and complained of diplopia that began on the day of presentation. He did not have any recent dental treatment or specific past medical history. A brain abscess in the left frontoparietal lobe was noted on brain magnetic resonance imaging. P. micra was cultured from brain abscess aspirate. He was successfully treated with surgical drainage and combined antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone and metronidazole for 6 weeks.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.797-807
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• 2004

This research investigates the effect of the Hibiscus syriacus(HSS) on Alzheimer's disease. The effects of the HSS extract on the behavior in the Morris water maze experiment; the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-1β mRNA, TNF-α mRNA, CD68/GFAP and RDS; the the infarction area of the hippocampus, and brain tissue injury in Alzheimer's diseased mice induced with M were investigated. The HSS extract group showed a significant inhibitory effect on the memory deficit on the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by βA in the Morris water maze experiment. The HSS extract group suppressed the over-expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA, CD68/GFAP, RDS in the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by βA. The HSS extract reduced the infarction area of hippocampus, and controlled the injury of brain tissue in the mice with Alzheimer's disease induced by βA. This study suggest that HSS may be effective for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.490-495
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• 2004

Brain cells produce cytokines and chemokines during the inflammatory process of many neuronal diseases both in animal models and in patients. Inflammatory cytokines are the main responsible for the onset of inflammatory cascade. During the past decade, a growing corpus of evidence has indicated an important role of these cytokines in the development of brain damage. ZhenganXifeng-tang (ZGXFT) is a Korean herbal prescription, which has been successfully applied for the treatment of various neuronal diseases. However, its effect in experimental models remains unknown. Astrocytes are predominant neuroglial cells of the central nervous system and are actively involved in cytokine-mediated events in inflammatory disease. An inflammatory response associated with β-amyloid (Aβ) and interleukin (IL)-1β is responsible for the pathology of inflammation disease. To investigate the biological effect of ZGXFT, the author examined cytotoxicity, effect of cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) secretion and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) on human astrocytoma cell line U373MG stimulated with IL-1β plus M fragment 25-35 (Aβ [25-35]). ZGXFT by itself had no effect on cell viability on human astrocytoma cells. The secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 was inhibited by pre-treatment with ZGXFT in human astrocytoma cells. In addition, the expression of COX-2 was induced by IL-1β plus AB[25-35] and was partially inhibited by treatment with ZGXFT. The author demonstrates the regulatory effects of inflammatory reactions by ZGXFT in human astrocytes for the first time and suggest the anti-inflammatory effect of ZGXFT may reduce and delay pathologic events of inflammatory disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.100-107
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• 2013

This study examined the effect of fermented ginseng (FG) on memory impairment and ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$) reduction in models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in vitro and in vivo. FG extract was prepared by steaming and fermenting ginseng. In vitro assessment measured soluble $A{\beta}42$ levels in HeLa cells, which stably express the Swedish mutant form of amyloid precursor protein. After 8 h incubation with the FG extract, the level of soluble $A{\beta}42$ was reduced. For behavioral assessments, the passive avoidance test was used for the scopolamine-injected ICR mouse model, and the Morris water maze was used for a transgenic (TG) mouse model, which exhibits impaired memory function and increased $A{\beta}42$ level in the brain. FG extract was treated for 2 wk or 4 mo on ICR and TG mice, respectively. FG extract treatment resulted in a significant recovery of memory function in both animal models. Brain soluble $A{\beta}42$ levels measured from the cerebral cortex of TG mice were significantly reduced by the FG extract treatment. These findings suggest that FG extract can protect the brain from increased levels of $A{\beta}42$ protein, which results in enhanced behavioral memory function, thus, suggesting that FG extract may be an effective preventive or treatment for AD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.177-194
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• 1997

This thesis, deduced from studying eastern and western medical records, deals with geriatric demedtia in modern society. The result were obtained as follows : 1. Dementia is a kind of chronic, progressive, degenerative disease. The chief expression and pathogenic change of the disease is organic: e.g., extensive change such as cerebrum - atrophy, and denaturalization result. in such a situation intellectual capacities and the ability to enjoy daily life deteriorate trenendously. 2. A basic internal cause of the disease is Defficiencies of the heart, liver and kidneys. An exterior cause is an Excessiveness of the 'Dam'(痰), 'Blood Stasis', 'Fung'(風) and 'Fire'. In a Western Medical view, the reason for dementia is due to the onset of Alzheimer's disease and Brain anemia resulting from Multi - infarction or some other reason. If the white - matter of the brain is injured, then dementia easily to results. 3. Disease symptoms result in troubles in intellectual functions : e.g., memory, orientation, intelligence, judgement, common sence and calculating abilities. 4. The proper therapeutic treatment depends on the causes. When the Deficiency is serious, Fortification (heart, liver. and kidney deficiency) is applied and Decrease is follow. When Excessiveness of wrong is serious, the Decrease is tried before the supplement measure is used depending on the deficiency, which generally is used together with 'Fortify Right - Decreace Wrong'. 5. If the disease wasn't caused by some mental reason, it's difficult to be cured of the disease. When the degree of the disease is light and it doesn't continue for a long time, the therapeutic treatment can block the disease's progress and improve the patient's symptoms.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.149-157
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• 2018

Background: Parkinson's disease is the second most common degenerative brain disease after Alzheimer's disease. This study reviewed clinical practice of acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for Parkinson's disease to assess the future direction of these treatments. Methods: The literature search used 5 Korean Internet databases. The search terms were "Parkinson's disease." and "Parkinson (Korean)." 36 papers were selected: 27 case reports, 2 respropective studies, 3 uncontrolled clinical trials, 3 randomized controlled trial, 1 non-randomized controlled trial. Results: Filiform needles were used in most of studies. Pharmacopuncture, electro-acupuncture, and auricular acupuncture therapy were also used in combination with Filiform needles. 2. The most commonly used basic acupoints for Parkinson's disease was Saamchimbeop. The most commonly used form of pharmacopuncture involved Bee-venom. Conclusion: It is expected that treatment of Parkinson's disease with a variety of acupuncture and moxibustion therapies will continue to be studied, in addition to treatments that utilize existing Filiform needle treatments in clinical practice.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.63 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2020

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a disease without any definite cure. Numerous approaches have been tested in efforts to conquer this brain disease, but patients invariably experience recurrence or develop resistance to treatment. New surgical tools, carefully chosen samples, and experimental methods are enabling discoveries at single-cell resolution. The present article reviews the cell-of-origin of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-wildtype GBM, beginning with the historical background for focusing on cellular origin and introducing the cancer genesis patterned on firework. The authors also review mutations associated with the senescence process in cells of the subventricular zone (SVZ), and biological validation of somatic mutations in a mouse SVZ model. Understanding GBM would facilitate research on the origin of other cancers and may catalyze the development of new management approaches or treatments against IDH-wildtype GBM.