• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2024

Ginseng is a traditional herbal medicine used for prevention and treatment of various diseases as a tonic. Recent scientific cohort studies on life prolongation with ginseng consumption support this record, as those who consumed ginseng for more than 5 years had reduced mortality and cognitive decline compared to those who did not. Clinical studies have also shown that acute or long-term intake of ginseng total extract improves acute working memory performance or cognitive function in healthy individuals and those with subjective memory impairment (SMI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or early Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia who are taking AD medication(s). Ginseng contains various components ranging from classical ginsenosides and polysaccharides to more recently described gintonin. However, it is unclear which ginseng component(s) might be the main candidate that contribute to memory or cognitive improvements or prevent cognitive decline in older individuals. This review describes recent clinical contributors to ginseng components in clinical tests and introduces emerging evidence that ginseng components could be novel candidates for cognitive improvement in older individuals, as ginseng components improve SMI cognition and exhibits add-on effects when coadministered with early AD dementia drugs. The mechanism behind the beneficial effects of ginseng components and how it improves cognition are presented. Additionally, this review shows how ginseng components can contribute to SMI, MCI, or early AD dementia when used as a supplementary food and/or medicine, and proposes a novel combination therapy of current AD medicines with ginseng component(s).

• 한국노년학
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.811-835
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• 2018

Social relations and cognitive function in old age are closely related to each other, and social relation is classified into structural characteristics and qualitative characteristics reflecting cognitive and emotional evaluation. The concept of social isolation is the focus of attention in relation to the social relations of old age. Social isolation has a multidimensional theoretical structure that is divided into objective dimension such as social network, type of furniture, social participation, and subjective dimension such as lack of perceived social support and loneliness. There is also a close relationship between cognitive function and interpersonal conflict in old age. In this study, we examined the effect of subjective social isolation, which shows the structural characteristics of social relations, and subjective social isolation and interpersonal conflict on the dementia occurrence by age group in the elderly. The data were analyzed by applying a random effect panel logit model using 1,740 panel data from the first year to the third year of KSHAP. The results of the analysis are summarized as follows. First, the cognitive impairment increased sharply with age. Objective and subjective social isolation were both U-shaped distribution with an inflection point of 80 years old. Second, the main effect on the probability of cognitive impairment was statistically significant with objective and subjective social isolation, but the type of interpersonal conflict did not appear to be significant. Third, the results of two-way interaction effect analysis on the probability of cognitive impairment are as follows. The relationship between subjective social isolation and the probability of occurrence of cognitive impairment was significantly different according to the level of conflict with spouse. In addition, the higher the subjective social isolation, the higher the probability of cognitive impairment in the elderly(over 85) than in the young-old(65~74). In addition, as the level of conflict with spouses increases, the probability of cognitive impairment of the oldest-old(aged 85 or older) is drastically lower than that of the young-old(aged 65~74). Based on the results of this study, policy and practical implications for reducing the cognitive impairment of the elderly age group were suggested, and limitations of the study and suggestions for future research were discussed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.204-212
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the effect of traditional Korean medical treatments on a stroke patient with gait disturbance, cognitive impairment, dysuria, and dysphagia. A 78-year-old female with chronic middle cerebral artery infarction had symptoms of gait disturbance, cognitive impairment, dysuria, and dysphagia. After being treated with Korean medicine therapies, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, the patient's symptoms were significantly improved. During all the treatments, Indices including manual muscle test, functional ambulation category, functional independence measuring, mini-mental state examination-K, global deterioration scale, pelvic symmetry, functional ambulation profile used to evaluate her symptoms indicated improvement in her symptoms, without any side effects. Traditional Korean medical treatments, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine, can be considered to be effective therapies for a stoke patient who has symptoms of gait disturbance, cognitive impairment, dysuria, and dysphagia.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.139-147
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• 2018

Hippocampal atrophy is a well-established imaging biomarker of Alzheimer disease (AD). However, hippocampus is a non-homogenous structure with cytoarchitecturally and functionally distinct sub-regions or subfield, with each region performing distinct functions. Certain regions of the subfield have shown selective vulnerability to AD. Here, we are interested in studying the effects of normal aging and mild cognitive impairment on these sub-regional volumes. With a reliable automated segmentation technique, we segmented these subregions of the hippocampus in 101 cognitively normal (CN), 135 early mild cognitive impairment (EMCI), 67 late mild cognitive impairment (LMCI) and 48 AD subjects. Thereby, dividing the hippocampus into hippocampal tail (tail), subiculum (SUB), cornu ammonis 1 (CA1), hippocampal fissure (fissure), presubiculum (PSUB), parasubiculum (ParaSUB), molecular layer (ML), granule cells/molecular layer/dentate gyrus (GCMLDG), cornu ammonis 3(CA3), cornu ammonis 4(CA4), fimbria and hippocampal-amygdala transition area (HATA). In this cross sectional study of 351 ADNI subjects, no differences in terms of age, gender, and years of education were observed among the groups. Though, the groups had statistically significant differences (p < 0.05 after the multiple comparison correction) in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. There was asymmetrical volume loss in the early stages of AD with the left hemisphere showing volume loss in regions that were unaffected in the right hemisphere. Bilateral parasubiculum, right cornu ammonis 1, 3 and 4, right fimbria and right HATA regions did not show any volume loss till the late MCI stages. Our findings suggest that the hippocampal subfield regions are selectively vulnerable to AD and also that these vulnerabilities are asymmetrical especially during the early stages of AD.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.347-355
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• 2020

Cognitive impairment is considered to be key research topics in the field of neurodegenerative diseases and in understanding of learning and memory. In the present study, we investigated neuroprotective effects of Schisandra chinensis (SC) and Ribes fasciculatum (RF) extracts in hydrogen peroxide-induced neuronal cell death in vitro and scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in Sprague Dawley^® (SD) rat in vivo. Apoptotic cell death in neuroblastic PC12 cell line was induced by hydrogen peroxide for 1 hour at 100 μM. However, mixture of SC and RF treatment prevented peroxide induced PC12 cell death with no neurotoxic effects. For in vivo experiment, the effect of SC and RF extracts on scopolamine-induced cognitive impairment in SD rat was evaluated by spontaneous alternation behavior in Y-Maze test. After 30 min scopolamine injection, the scopolamine-induced rats presented significantly decreased % spontaneous alteration and acetylcholine level, compared to non-induced group. However, treatment of SC+RF extracts rescued the reduced % spontaneous alteration with acetylcholine concentration from hippocampus in scopolamine-induced rats. These results suggested that mixture of SC and RF extract may be a potential natural therapeutic agent for the prevention of cognitive impairment.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.7
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• pp.842-848
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• 2001

Objectives : The mortality rate of subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) has been reduced recently due to refinement of microsurgical technique and improved perioperative management. Also, many survivors of SAH show excellent neurological recoveries. However, we found that a high proportion of the survivors do not fully regain their premorbid status in cognitive and memory function. Object of this study is to evaluate which factors might influence on cognitive and memory impairment in ruptured aneurysmal SAH patients. Methods : In this prospective study, a series of 66 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) from 1996 to 1998, most of whom had a "good" or "fair" neurological outcome, were assessed with various tests of cognition and memory function. All patients underwent clipping operation by pterional approach. Right side approach was performed in 16 case and left 21 cases. K-WAIS(Korean-Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) was used as method of cognition and memory function test. The time interval between SAH and assessment varied between 4 months and 8 months, averaging 6.2 months. Statistical analyses were carried out for each test score to see whether aneurysm site(A-com : non A-com), route of approach, age and sex, vasospasm, Hunt-Hess grade and Fisher CT group at admission, Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS) at discharge affect cognitive and memory function. Results : Aneurysm site was not shown to be associated with performance on any test, and the initial grade (Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher CT group) of SAH and vasospasm had only minimal predictive values. The grade at discharge( GOS) was proved to be the best predictor of impairment of cognition and memory function within 1 year after operation. Conclusion : The authors conclude that the diffuse effects of SAH are more important than focal neuropathology in relation to cognitive impairment in this group of patients.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1228-1233
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• 2013

The purposes of this study were to assess the reliability of the Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K) and Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K) and correlation between MoCA-K and MMSE-K to detect cognitive impairment following stroke determined by a neuropsychological battery. Fifty-two chronic stroke patients participated in this study. They divided two group, normal cognitive group (20 patients) with stroke and cognitive impairment group with stroke (32 patients), and research period was from October 2th. to November 30th., 2013. The subjects were measured K-MoCA and K-MMSE. Normal cognitive group showed the moderate reliability in K-MoCA and K-MMSE. Cognitive group showed the more moderate relaibility in K-MoCA and K-MMSE. There was positive correlation as the more score of K-MoCA gain, the more score of K-MMSE showed in both group. The results suggest that both clinical measures are moderately sensitive and proper feasibility to chronic post-stroke cognitive impairment. The both clinical tools suggest to use in research and clinical settings by a neuropshchological battery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.188-193
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• 2014

Objective : Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic cerebrovascular occlusive disease of unknown etiology. In addition, the neurocognitive impairment of adults with MMD is infrequently reported and, to date, has not been well described. We attempted to determine both the neurocognitive profile of adult moyamoya disease and whether a superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis can improve the neurocognitive impairment in exhibiting hemodynamic disturbance without stroke. Methods : From September 2010 through November 2012, 12 patients with angiographically diagnosed MMD underwent STA-MCA anastomosis for hemodynamic impairment. Patients with hypoperfusion and impaired cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) capacity but without evidence of ischemic stroke underwent a cognitive function test, the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery (SNSB). Five patients agreed to undergo a follow-up SNSB test. Data from preoperative and postoperative neurocognitive function tests were compared and analyzed. Results : Five of 12 patients were enrolled. The median age was 45 years (range, 24-55 years). A comparison of preoperative to postoperative status of SNSB, memory domain, especially delayed recall showed significant improvement. Although most of the domains showed improvement after surgery, the results were not statistically significant. Conclusion : In our preliminary study, large proportions of adult patients with MMD demonstrate disruption of cognitive function. This suggests the possibility of chronic hypoperfusion as a primary cause of the neurocognitive impairment. When preoperative and postoperative status of cognitive function was compared, memory domain showed remarkable improvement. Although further study is needed, neurocognitive impairment may be an indication for earlier intervention with reperfusion procedures that can improve cognitive function.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.317-325
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cognitive functional improvement of cognitive occupational therapy using cognitive function, activities of daily living (ADL) executive function and depression tests in community living elders with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Thirty two elders who diagnosed MCI (n=13) and dementia (n=19) were enrolled in this study. They visited to local elder welfare office and nursing care home from Feb. 2012 to Jun. 2012. They received occupational activity program in terms of physical activity, cognitive function and occupational function of Craft as the manner of a session per week for 8 weeks. The cognitive function, executive function, depression score were improved in both group. Furthermore in MCI participants, cognitive function scores for concentration and memory functions were significant improved more than dementia subjects. Further studies dealing with the development of novel occupational program for cognitive function improvement and its preventive effects were needed.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.70-81
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• 2024

Objectives: Cognitive impairments, ranging from mild to severe, adversely affect daily functioning, quality of life, and work capacity. Despite significant efforts in the past decade, more than 200 promising drug candidates have failed in clinical trials. Herbal remedies are gaining interest as potential treatments for dementia due to their long history and safety, making them valuable for drug development. This review aimed to examine the mechanisms behind the effect of Polygonum multiflorum on cognitive function. Methods: This study focused primarily on the effects of Polygonum multiflorum and its chemical constituents on cognitive behavioral outcomes including the Morris water maze, the passive avoidance test, and the Y maze, as well as pathogenic targets of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD) like amyloid deposition, amyloid precursor protein, tau hyperphosphorylation, and cognitive decline. Additionally, a thorough evaluation of the mechanisms behind Polygonum multiflorum's impact on cognitive function was conducted. We reviewed the most recent data from preclinical research done on experimental models, particularly looking at Polygonum multiflorum's effects on cognitive decline and AD. Results: According to recent research, Poligonum multiflorum and its bioactive components, stilbene, and emodin, influence cognitive behavioral results and regulate the pathological target of cognitive impairment and AD. Their mechanisms of action include reducing oxidative and mitochondrial damage, regulating neuroinflammation, halting apoptosis, and promoting increased neurogenesis and synaptogenesis. Conclusion: This review serves as a comprehensive compilation of current experiments on AD and other cognitive impairment models related to the therapeutic effects of Polygonum multiflorum. We believe that these findings can serve as a basis for future clinical trials and have potential applications in the treatment of human neurological disorders.