• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.320-327
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• 2022

Neurodevelopmental disorders are complex conditions that pose difficulty in the modulation of proper motor, sensory and cognitive function due to dysregulated neuronal development. Previous studies have reported that an imbalance in the excitation/inhibition (E/I) in the brain regulated by glutamatergic and/or GABAergic neurotransmission can cause neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric behavioral deficits such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD). NMDA acts as an agonist at the NMDA receptor and imitates the action of the glutamate on that receptor. NMDA however, unlike glutamate, only binds to and regulates the NMDA receptor subtypes and not the other glutamate receptors. This study seeks to determine whether NMDA administration in mice i.e., over-activation of the NMDA system would result in long-lasting behavioral deficits in the adolescent mice. Both gender mice were treated with NMDA or saline at early postnatal developmental period with significant synaptogenesis and synaptic maturation. On postnatal day 28, various behavioral experiments were conducted to assess and identify behavioral characteristics. NMDA-treated mice show social deficits, and repetitive behavior in both gender mice at adolescent periods. However, only the male mice but not female mice showed increased locomotor activity. This study implies that neonatal exposure to NMDA may illicit behavioral features similar to ASD. This study also confirms the validity of the E/I imbalance theory of ASD and that NMDA injection can be used as a pharmacologic model for ASD. Future studies may explore the mechanism behind the gender difference in locomotor activity as well as the human relevance and therapeutic significance of the present findings.

• Journal of Korea Multimedia Society
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1980-1991
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• 2017

Many stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation therapy require a quantitative indicator for the evaluation of body function in paretic and non-paretic regions. In this study, the impedance parameters were acquired to assess the physical status in the upper extremity of thirty six stroke patients with hemiplegia caused by cerebral hemorrhage (10 patients) and cerebral infarction (26 patients), using bioelectrical impedance. Prediction marker (PM), phase angle (PA), PM/PA, and resistance (R) versus reactance ($X_c$) were utilized to evaluate the functional status of the paretic and non-paretic regions. In addition, the hand grip strength (HGS) and the pinch strength (lateral, palmer, tip) were measured on the upper extremity of hemiplegic stroke patients. PM was distributed in inversely proportional to HGS, but PA was distributed in proportional to HGS. However, there were a number of patients with HGS of 0, regardless of the impedance parameters (PM, PA, R vs. $X_c$). Paretic and non-paretic status in upper extremity of these patients could not be analyzed using impedance parameters. At the rehabilitation therapist's instructions, they were unable to move the hand and fingers of the paretic upper extremity by cranial nerve damage, motor nerve damage, and severe cognitive decline.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.178-183
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• 2023

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, of which pathogenesis is caused by a polyglutamine expansion in the amino-terminus of huntingtin gene that resulted in the aggregation of mutant HTT proteins. HD is characterized by progressive motor dysfunction, cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric disturbances. Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6), a microtubule-associated deacetylase, has been shown to induce transport- and release-defect phenotypes in HD models, whilst treatment with HDAC6 inhibitors ameliorates the phenotypic effects of HD by increasing the levels of α-tubulin acetylation, as well as decreasing the accumulation of mutant huntingtin (mHTT) aggregates, suggesting HDAC6 inhibitor as a HD therapeutics. In this study, we employed in vitro neural stem cell (NSC) model and in vivo YAC128 transgenic (TG) mouse model of HD to test the effect of a novel HDAC6 selective inhibitor, CKD-504, developed by Chong Kun Dang (CKD Pharmaceutical Corp., Korea). We found that treatment of CKD-504 increased tubulin acetylation, microtubule stabilization, axonal transport, and the decrease of mutant huntingtin protein in vitro. From in vivo study, we observed CKD-504 improved the pathology of Huntington's disease: alleviated behavioral deficits, increased axonal transport and number of neurons, restored synaptic function in corticostriatal (CS) circuit, reduced mHTT accumulation, inflammation and tau hyperphosphorylation in YAC128 TG mouse model. These novel results highlight CKD-504 as a potential therapeutic strategy in HD.

• Journal of Korean Society of Neurocognitive Rehabilitation
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.45-52
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• 2018

The purpose of the present study was to determine correlations between the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean (MoCA-K) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) targeting stroke patients, and it seeks to analyze the influence among each factor to establish the fundamental research in evaluating the functional performance capability of stroke patients. The study was conducted between December 2017 and March 2018 and the target of the study was 34 stroke patients who are hospitalized and treated in Y rehabilitation hospital located in Goyang city. Following in criteria of how participants were selected. First, a person without the onset of 6months or more. Second, a person who can communicate and score over 20 points on MMSE-K. Third, a person without unilateral neglect. Fourth, a person without lower motor neuron lesion and orthopedic disease on the bilateral lower extremity. Fifth, a person without audiovisual problem and history of using drug or surgery that influence athletic function. sixth, patients who agreed on participating in the study. The evaluation was processed by measuring BBS, MoCA-K, and MBI with the occupational therapist and physical therapist. Also, one assistant was participated in measuring balanced ability for the safety reason. It was found that significantly correlates (p<.01) with BBS and MoCA-K (r=.459), BBS and MBI (r=.550), MoCA-K and MBI (r=.565). This study is meaningful that it provided the basis for the active use of BBS, MoCA-K and MBI as a clinical evaluation tool and its usefulness.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5229-5237
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• 2012

Occupational therapist is required for patient-centered approaches to actively seek the perspectives of patients and their families in clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current trends and to suggest future-oriented view of examination and assessment used by neurological occupational therapist in clinical settings. Sixty-six occupational therapists who work in persons with neurological disorders participated in this study. The survey was measured from Seoul and GyeongGi by means of E-mail about commonly used assessment tools and selecting considerations. The participants were 66 neurological occupational therapists. The number of patients by one day was from 10 to 14 persons, and the length of time for initial evaluation was 20-40 minutes per one patient, and reexamination periods was every 1 month or as functional changes were detected. The using tool was not limited only neurological tools, and choice consideration was the reliability and validity of clinical measures. The most frequently used tools for adults were: JHFT for motor function in upper extremity, MMSE-K for cognitive perceptual assessment, MBI for daily activity assessment, and COPM for occupational performance. The most frequently used tools for child were: MVPT for cognitive perceptual assessment and Wee-FIM for daily activity assessment. The results of this study suggest that it is necessary to integrate and associate patient-report, care-giver report, and results of performance-based assessment for estimating plan of care more quality.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.122-132
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• 2005

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess cognitive functions and their relationship with sleep symptoms in young narcoleptic patients. Methods: Eighteen young narcolepsy patients and 18 normal controls (age: 17-35 years old) were recruited. All narcolepsy patients had HLA $DQB_1$ *0602 allele and cataplexy. Several important areas of cognition were assessed by a battery of neuropsychological tests consisting of 13 tests: executive functions (e.g. cognitive set shifting, inhibition, and selective attention) through Wisconsin card sorting test, Trail Making A/B, Stroop test, Ruff test, Digit Symbol, Controlled Oral Word Association and Boston Naming Test; alertness and sustained attention through paced auditory serial addition test; verbal/nonverbal short-term memory and working memory through Digit Span and Spatial Span; visuospatial memory through Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test; verbal learning and memory through California verbal learning test; and fine motor activity through grooved pegboard test. Sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients were assessed with Epworth sleepiness scale, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale, multiple sleep latency test, and nocturnal polysomnography. Relationship between cognitive functions and sleep symptoms in narcolepsy patients was also explored. Results: Compared with normal controls, narcolepsy patients showed poor performance in paced auditory serial addition (2.0 s and 2.4 s), digit symbol tests, and spatial span (forward)(t=3.86, p<0.01; t=-2.47, p=0.02; t=-3.95, p<0.01; t=-2.22, p=0.03, respectively). There were no significant between-group differences in other neuropsychological tests. In addition, results of neuropsychological test in narcolepsy patients were not correlated with Epworth sleepiness scale score, Ullanlinna narcolepsy scale score and sleep variables in multiple sleep latency test or nocturnal polysomnography. Conclusion: The current findings suggest that young narcolepsy patients have impaired attention. In addition, impairment of attention in narcolepsy might not be solely due to sleep symptoms such as excessive daytime sleepiness.

• 한국노년학
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.143-154
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• 2005

This study was conducted to examine the environmental status, FIM(Function Independence Measure), Illness intrusiveness of home stayed stroke patients. Data were collected on 145 patients living in K city and the neighborhood located in southern part of Korea. The data were analyzed by means of SPSS program. Results : In assessment of environmental safety, 46.2%(67) felt unsafe around their residential area. The most dangerous facilities in their residence was stairs(58.2%), gas/electric facilities(14.9%). For sanitary problems, 28.2%(41) felt they have problems at their home. The most important problems were outdoor polluted toilet(22.0%) and scattered and dirty residential circumstances(22.0%). The average FIM score was 74.52(4.14) of total score 126(7). In motor area FIM was lowest at stair walking(3.01) and bathing(3.16). In cognitive area FIM was lowest at social activities(3.36). The mean score of Illness intrusiveness was 58.86(4.52) of total score 91(7). The major area largely impacted by stroke were health(5.61), working(5.68), active leisure activities(5.56). There was significant reverse correlation between FIM and illness intrusiveness(r=-0.66, p=0.00). Conclusion : It was needed environmental improvement and rehabilitation program for stroke patients, and repeated follow up study.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2018

Objectives : Delirium is one of the most common mental illnesses that can affect cognitive function. Melatonin has been shown to be effective in the treatment of insomnia, and recent studies have shown a protective effect to prevent delirium. This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of melatonin in delirium patients. Methods : All patients were referred to psychiatric department for insomnia and symptoms of delirium, and were diagnosed delirium by the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. We compared base line severity of delirium with K-DRS-R-98-R (Korean version of Delirium Rating Scale revised 98) and after taking 2mg of melatonin, retrospectively. The side effects were also identified by referring to the medical records. Results : A total 21 patients had taken melatonin for insomnia and delirious symptoms. The K-DRS-R-98 scores were decreased from $15.24{\pm}2.64$ before treatment to $6.57{\pm}5.42$ after treatment. And CGI-S scores were also decreased from $4.14{\pm}0.48$ before treatment to $2.81{\pm}0.93$ after treatment (p<0.05). Conclusions : This study illustrates the possibility of melatonin as an effective treatment option for delirious symptoms such as disorientation, motor agitation, lability of affect and hallucinations as well as insomnia, with less concerns of drug side effect. Further study with a larger sample and prospective design will be required to confirm these results.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.186-192
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to examine how Korean dance affects middle-aged women by acting as a cultural mediator. A qualitative approach was taken in order to best achieve the purpose of this study. The data used in this study were collected from Feb 10th to April 1st, 2016, using in-depth interviews. The results are as follows; firstly, on an emotional level, the middle-aged women participating in Korean dance as a cultural mediator, feel a sense of self-achievement and social belonging, as well as experiencing an improvement in their psychological stability by resolving their depression. Those who had lost their sense of autonomy and productivity were able to recover some of their self-esteem through this activity. Secondly, in terms of their activity, the Korean dance enabled the ladies to exercise their poorly used muscles by strengthening their gross and fine motor skills through the movements associated with the Korean traditional music. This allowed them to ease their chronic physical pain and it can be considered that their overall exercise function was increased by expanding their exercise radius. Third, in the cognitive area, it was possible for them to revive their happy memories by listening to the music which was loved by their preceding generations. This is because the melody of familiar Korean music provides them with the chance to remember their former days. Lastly, in the social area, the Korean dance allowed the middle-aged women to accept themselves through music and movement, as well as playing the role of a mediator which enabled them to overcome their isolation and the conflicts they face in their social relations. In addition, they achieved self-realization by reconnecting with the regional community through the Korean dance performances, which they learned as social community members.

• Korean journal of psychology:General
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.81-107
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• 2017

The study aims to investigate the clinical utility of Bayley-III using US norm in Korea. A total of 98 preterm infants and 93 term infants were assessed with the K-Bayley-III. The performance pattern of preterm infants was analyzed with mixed design ANOVA which examined the differences of scaled scores and composite scores of Bayley-III between full term- and preterm- infant group and within preterm infants group. Then, We have investigated agreement between classifications of delay made using the BSID-II and Bayley-III. In addition, ROC plots were constructed to identify a Bayley-III cut-off score with optimum diagnostic utility in this sample. The results were as follows. (1) Preterm infants have significantly lower function levels in areas of 5 scaled scores and 3 developmental indexes compared with infants born at term. Significant differences among scores within preterm infant group were also found. (2) Bayley-III had the higher scores of the Mental Development Index and Psychomotor Developmental Index comparing to the scores of K-BSID-II, and had the lower rates of developmental delay. (3) All scales of Bayley-III, Cognitive, Language and Motor scale had the appropriate level of discrimination, but the cut-off composite scores of Bayley-III were adjusted 13~28 points higher than 69 for prediction of delay, as defined by the K-BSID-II. It explains the lower rates of developmental delay using the standard of two standard deviation. This study has provided empirical data to inform that we must careful when interpreting the score for clinical applications, identified the discriminating power, and proposed more appropriate cut-off scores. In addition, discussion about the sampling for making the Korean norm of Bayley-III was provided. It is preferable that infants in Korea should use our own validated norms. The standardization process to get Korean normative data must be performed carefully.