• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.181-190
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• 2004

Tremor is the common symptom clinically and often be continuous with the brain cortex function. Scalp Acupuncture was designed by connecting the Meridian theory with brain cortex functional theory. We carried out four patients with tremor. We operated Scalp Acupuncture on the chorea-tremor area in connection with precentral gyrus which is in charge of the motion of the opposite part of body about 20 minutes. Herbal medication and the other oriental medical treatments were performed. After our treatments, tremor and some other symptoms were improved.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.91-97
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• 2009

The tubby mouse is characterized by progressive retinal and cochlear degeneration and late-onset obesity. These phenotypes are caused by a loss-of-function mutation in the tub gene and are shared with several human syndromes, suggesting the importance of tubby protein in central nervous system (CNS) functioning. Although evidence suggests that tubby may act as a transcription factor mediating G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling, any downstream gene regulated by tubby has yet to be identified. To explore potential target genes of tubby with region-specific transcription patterns in the brain, we performed a microarray analysis using the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus of tubby mice. We also validated the changes of gene expression level observed with the microarray analysis using real-time RT-PCR. We found that expression of erythroid differentiation factor 1 (Erdrl) and caspase 1 (Casp1) increased, while p21-activated kinase 1 (Pak1) and cholecystokinin 2 receptor (Cck2r) expression decreased in the cerebral cortex of tubby mice. In the hypothalamic region, Casp 1 was up-regulated and $\mu$-crystallin (CRYM) was down-regulated. Based on the reported functions of the differentially expressed genes, these individual or grouped genes may account for the phenotype of tubby mice. We discussed how altered expression of genes in tubby mice might be understood as the underlying mechanism behind tubby phenotypes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.179-188
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• 2017

With the explosive increase in exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) emitted by mobile phones, public concerns have grown over the last few decades with regard to the potential effects of EMF exposure on the nervous system in the brain. Many researchers have suggested that RF-EMFs can effect diverse neuronal alterations in the brain, thereby affecting neuronal functions as well as behavior. Previously, we showed that long-term exposure to 835 MHz RF-EMF induces autophagy in the mice brain. In this study, we explore whether shortterm exposure to RF-EMF leads to the autophagy pathway in the cerebral cortex and brainstem at 835 MHz with a specific absorption rate (SAR) of 4.0 W/kg for 4 weeks. Increased levels of autophagy genes and proteins such as LC3B-II and Beclin1 were demonstrated and the accumulation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was observed in cortical neurons whereas apoptosis pathways were up-regulated in the brainstem but not in the cortex following 4 weeks of RF exposure. Taken together, the present study indicates that monthly exposure to RF-EMF induces autophagy in the cerebral cortex and suggests that autophagic degradation in cortical neurons against a stress of 835 MHz RF during 4 weeks could correspond to adaptation to the RF stress environment. However, activation of apoptosis rather than autophagy in the brainstem is suggesting the differential responses to the RF-EMF stresses in the brain system.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2003년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.2-2
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• pp.83.1-83.1
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• 2003

The heterotrimeric G protein subunits (G ) are region-specifically expressed in brain such as hypothalamus and pituitary gland in abundant, suggesting that is may be associated with “stress-axis”. This study was designed to examine the effect of stress on the region-specific expression of various G subunits in rat brain. The localization of mRNAs encoding seven of G and striking region-specific patterns of expression were observed in 12 different regions of both non-stressed and stressed rat brain; (1) frontal cortex area, (2) cerebral cortex area, (3) striatum, (4) hippocampus area, (5) thalamus, (6) brain stem, (7) cerebellum area, (8) hypothalamus, (9) septum, (10) amygdala, (11) preoptic area, and (12) pituitary gland. (omitted)

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.571-578
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• 2022

Objective: Cognitive-motor trainings had a positive impact on cognitive function and dual-task trainings led to improvements of global cognitive function. The brain activity of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is another indicator that can infer cognitive function. This study aims to confirm the usability of the interactive system cognitive-motor training program and the changes in the prefrontal cortex through training. Design: Cross-sectional study Methods: In this study, two cognitive tasks were randomly applied to 20 adults as cognitive-motor training using an interactive system, and the same task was performed using the original method. During all tasks, the brain activity of the prefrontal cortex was measured by the change in oxyhemoglobin (HbO) in real-time using Functional Near-Infrastructure. After performing the tasks, the usability of the developed interactive system was evaluated by a usability questionnaire which consists of five items, and each item consists of a 7-point Likert scale that responds from 1 point to 7 points. Results: The HbO levels were increased during cognitive task performance than at the resting phase. And evaluating the usefulness of the interactive system, a questionnaire result showed that it would be useful for cognitive-motor programs. Conclusions: The cognitive-motor training using the interactive system increased the activity of the prefrontal cortex, and the developed wearable sensor-based interactive system confirmed its usefulness.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.96-103
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• 2022

Purpose: The survival of organisms critically depends on avoidance responses to life-threatening stimuli. Information about dangerous situations needs to be remembered to produce defensive behavior. To investigate underlying brain regions to process information of danger, manganese-enhanced MRI (MEMRI) was used in olfactory fear-conditioned rats. Materials and Methods: Fear conditioning was conducted in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals received nasal injections of manganese chloride solution to monitor brain activation for olfactory information processing. Twenty-four hours after manganese injection, rats were exposed to electric foot shocks with odor cue for one hour. Control rats were exposed to the same odor cue without foot shocks. Forty-eight hours after the conditioning, rats were anesthetized and their brains were scanned with 9.4T MRI. Acquired images were processed and statistical analyses were performed using AFNI. Results: Manganese injection enhanced brain areas involved in olfactory information pathways in T1 weighted images. Rats that received foot shocks showed higher brain activation in the central nucleus of the amygdala, septum, primary motor cortex, and preoptic area. In contrast, control rats displayed greater signals in the orbital cortex and nucleus accumbens. Conclusion: Nasal delivery of manganese solution enhanced olfactory signal pathways in rats. Odor cue paired with foot shocks activated amygdala, the central brain region in fear, and related brain circuits. Use of MEMRI in fear conditioning provides a reliable monitoring technique of brain activation for fear learning.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.109-112
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• 2015

Since the early 2000s, there has been a continued interest in lie detection using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in neuroscience and forensic sciences, as well as in newly emerging fields including neuroethics and neurolaw. Related fMRI studies have revealed converging evidence that brain regions including the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, parietal cortex, and anterior insula are associated with deceptive behavior. However, fMRI-based lie detection has thus far not been generally accepted as evidence in court, as methodological shortcomings, generalizability issues, and ethical and legal concerns are yet to be resolved. In the present review, we aim to illustrate these achievements and limitations of fMRI-based lie detection.

• 약학회지
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.323-333
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• 1990

To study influence of carbonmonoxide (CO) poisoning on the content of amino acid neurotransmitter in brain, male rat was exposed to CO 5000 ppm for 30 minutes (60-75% HbCO). Aspartic acid and glutamic acid level in the cerebral cortex and aspartic acid level in the striatum were significantly decreased. GABA level in the cerebral cortex was significantly increased after the 30 and 60 minutes of CO intoxication. Taurine level in both the cerebral cortex and the striatum was increased although nonsignificant. Consequently, the CO-induced hypoxia brain showed lower level of excitatory neurotransmitter, aspartic acid and glutamic acid and higher level of inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA and taurine. These results suggest that the change in content of amino acid neurotransmitter in the rat brain may be concerned with several CO poisoning symptoms.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제37권7호
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• pp.554-561
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• 2014

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a lipid growth factor that exerts diverse biological effects through its cognate receptors ($LPA_1-LPA_6$). $LPA_1$, which is predominantly expressed in the brain, plays a pivotal role in brain development. However, the role of $LPA_1$ in neuronal migration has not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we delivered $LPA_1$ to mouse cerebral cortex using in utero electroporation. We demonstrated that neuronal migration in the cerebral cortex was not affected by the overexpression of $LPA_1$. Moreover, these results can be applied to the identification of the localization of $LPA_1$. The subcellular localization of $LPA_1$ was endogenously present in the perinuclear area, and overexpressed $LPA_1$ was located in the plasma membrane. Furthermore, $LPA_1$ in developing mouse cerebral cortex was mainly expressed in the ventricular zone and the cortical plate. In summary, the overexpression of $LPA_1$ did not affect neuronal migration, and the protein expression of $LPA_1$ was mainly located in the ventricular zone and cortical plate within the developing mouse cerebral cortex. These studies have provided information on the role of $LPA_1$ in brain development and on the technical advantages of in utero electroporation.