• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.66-70
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• 2018

Electrodiagnostic studies such as nerve conduction studies (NCS) and needle electromyography (EMG) provide important and complementary information for evaluating patients with suspected neuromuscular disorders. NCS and needle EMG are reasonably safe diagnostic investigations and are generally associated with only mild transient discomfort when performed by experienced physicians. However, there is the risk of complications in some patients, because NCS involve the administration of electric current and EMG involves inserting a needle percutaneously into muscle tissue. This article reviews the potential risks of NCS and needle EMG.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2019

Clinical evaluations, nerve conduction studies, and electromyography play major complementary roles in electrophysiologic diagnoses. Electromyography can be used to assess pathologic changes and localize lesions occurring in locations ranging from motor units to anterior-horn cells. Successfully performing electromyography requires knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the peripheral nervous system as well as sufficient skill and interpretation ability. Electromyography techniques include acquiring data from visual/auditory signals and performing needle positioning, semiquantitation, and interpretation. Here we introduce the basic concepts of electromyography to guide clinicians in performing electromyography appropriately.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.113-117
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• 2017

The performance of electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings is affected by electrode type, electronic parameters such as filtering, amplification, signal conversion, data storage; and environmental conditions. However, no single method has been identified for optimal EEG recording quality in all situations. Therefore, we aimed to provide general principles for EEG electrode selection as well as electronic noise reduction, and to present comprehensive information regarding the acquisition of satisfactory EEG signals. The standards provided in this document may be regarded as Korean guidelines for the clinical recording of EEG data. The equipment, types and nomenclature of electrodes, and the details for EEG recording are discussed.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.71-78
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• 2018

Nerve conduction study (NCS) is an electrophysiological tool to assess the overall function of cranial and peripheral nervous system, therefore NCS has been diagnostically helpful in the identification and characterization of disorders involving nerve roots, peripheral nerves, muscle and neuromuscular junction, and are frequently accompanied by a needle Electromyography. Furthermore, NCS could provide valuable quantitative and qualitative results into neuromuscular function. Usually, motor, sensory, or mixed nerve studies can be performed with using NCS, stimulating the nerves with the recording electrodes placed over a distal muscle, a cutaneous sensory nerve, or the entire mixed nerve, respectively. And these findings of motor, sensory, and mixed nerve studies often show different and distinct patterns of specific abnormalities indicating the neuromuscular disorders. The purpose of this special article is to review the neurophysiologic usefulness of NCS, to outline the technical factors associated with the performance of NCS, and to demonstrate characteristic NCS changes in the setting of various neuromuscular conditions.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.126-137
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• 2022

Background and Purpose: Early detection of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) is important for clinical research and effective prevention and management. This study examined if quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) could be used for early detection of AD in SCD. Methods: Participants with SCD from 6 dementia clinics in Korea were enrolled. ¹⁸F-florbetaben brain amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) was conducted for all the participants. qEEG was performed to measure power spectrum and source cortical activity. Results: The present study included 95 participants aged over 65 years, including 26 amyloid PET (+) and 69 amyloid PET (-). In participants with amyloid PET (+), relative power at delta band was higher in frontal (p=0.025), parietal (p=0.005), and occipital (p=0.022) areas even after adjusting for age, sex, and education. Source activities of alpha 1 band were significantly decreased in the bilateral fusiform and inferior temporal areas, whereas those of delta band were increased in the bilateral cuneus, pericalcarine, lingual, lateral occipital, precuneus, posterior cingulate, and isthmus areas. There were increased connections between bilateral precuneus areas but decreased connections between left rostral middle frontal area and bilateral frontal poles at delta band in participants with amyloid PET (+) showed. At alpha 1 band, there were decreased connections between bilateral entorhinal areas after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions: SCD participants with amyloid PET (+) showed increased delta and decreased alpha 1 activity. qEEG is a potential means for predicting amyloid pathology in SCD. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2015

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects and relevant factors of community-based education and advocacy intervention on stroke awareness among the general population. Methods: The study enrolled 505 community-dwelling adults aged 19 years or older who completed a survey before and after a community-based intervention held between May 2014 and December 2014. Trained staff collected data about knowledge of five stroke warning signs, emergency response, golden window of time (${\leq}3h$), and demographics. Results: After the intervention, public awareness of all five stroke warning signs increased significantly from 26.5% to 33.9% (p=0.011). Public awareness of the golden window of time also increased significantly from 70.1% in April 2014 to 75.8% in December 2014 (p=0.040). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age, higher education level, and exposure to stroke-related public service announcements or educational materials were significant predictors of knowledge of all five warning signs for stroke. Conclusions: Comprehensive community-based intervention is effective for improving public awareness of the warning signs of stroke and the golden window of time.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.18-25
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• 2018

Evoked potentials (EPs) measures the electrophysiologic responses of the nervous system to variety of stimuli. In clinical practice, only a few are used on a routine basis. Because of the small amplitude of EPs recorded by noninvasive methods, computer summation or averaging generally is necessary to resolve them from background noise. Therefore, waveform acquisition under good condition according to standard method is important. We aimed to provide the standards for clinical EP equipment, technical consideration and minimal requirements for obtaining good clinical EP waveforms, and general criteria for writing EP reports in practice as Korean guidelines.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2018

Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) are frequently used to assess the anterior and posterior visual pathways. In particular, the use of VEPs have been increasing in various fields such as evaluation of the optic nerves in patients with multiple sclerosis. The performance of VEP test can be affected by various factors such as stimulus type and subject condition, and its interpretation is also difficult. However, there have been no guidelines for performing and interpreting VEPs in Korea. Therefore, we aimed to provide comprehensive information regarding basic requirement and interpretation for VEPs.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.478-479
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• 2023

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.30-43
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• 2024

Background and Purpose: The SoUth Korea study to PrEvent cognitive impaiRment and protect BRAIN health through lifestyle intervention (SUPERBRAIN) proved the feasibility of multidomain intervention for elderly people. One-quarter of the Korean population over 65 years of age has mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Digital health interventions may be cost-effective and have fewer spatial constraints. We aim to examine the efficacy of a multidomain intervention through both face-to-face interactions and video communication platforms using a tablet personal computer (PC) application in MCI. Methods: Three hundred participants aged 60-85 years, with MCI and at least one modifiable dementia risk factor, will be recruited from 17 centers and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the multidomain intervention and the waiting-list control groups. Participants will receive the 24-week intervention through the tablet PC SUPERBRAIN application, which encompasses the following five elements: managing metabolic and vascular risk factors, cognitive training, physical exercise, nutritional guidance, and boosting motivation. Participants will attend the interventions at a facility every 1-2 weeks. They will also engage in one or two self-administered cognitive training sessions utilizing the tablet PC application at home each week. They will participate in twice or thrice weekly online exercise sessions at home via the ZOOM platform. The primary outcome will be the change in the total scale index score of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status from baseline to study end. Conclusions: This study will inform the effectiveness of a comprehensive multidomain intervention utilizing digital technologies in MCI.