• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2002

Background and Objectives ; This experimental study was conducted to evaluate an anti-stress effect of Gamisachi-tang(加味四七湯) on mice immobilized by stress. Methods : The experimental animals were immobilized by stress for 15 minutes, and administered 9mg/20g or 18mg/20g of Gamisachi-tang(加味四七湯) extract for seven days before they got stressed. The serotonin contents in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus, corpus striatum, hippocampus were measured by HPLC method in rat brain. Results : In frontal cortex, serotonin contents significantly decreased in both sample A and B group compared to the controlled group. In the hypothalamus, serotonin contents increased in both sample A and B group compared to the controlled group. In the corpus striatum, serotonin contents significantly increased in both sample A and B group compared to the controlled group. In the hippocamous, serotonin contents significantly increased in both sample A and B group compared to the controlled group. Conclusions : According to the above results, Gamisachi-tang(加味四七湯) had a significant impact on the changes in serotonin contents, which occurred in a separated part of mouse brain caused by stress.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2007

Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element indispensable for brain development and function; either excess or deficiency in Cu can cause brain malfunction. While it is known that Cu and Fe homeostasis are strictly regulated in the brain, the question as to how systemic Fe status may influence brain Cu distribution was poorly understood. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that dietary Fe condition affects Cu transport into the brain, leading to an altered brain distribution of Cu. Rats were divided into 3 groups; an Fe-deficient (Fe-D) group which received an Fe-D diet ($3{\sim}5 mg$ Fe/kg), a control group that was fed with normal diet (35mg Fe/kg), and an Fe-overload group whose diet contained an Fe-O diet (20g carbonyl Fe/kg). Following a 4-week treatment, the concentration of Cu/Fe in serum, CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) and brain were determined by AAS, and the uptake rates of Cu into choroids plexus (CP), CSF, brain capillary and parenchyma were determined by an in situ brain perfusion, followed by capillary depletion. In Fe-D and Fe-O, serum Fe level decreased by 91% (p<0.01) and increased by 131% (p<0.01), respectively, in comparison to controls. Fe concentrations in all brain regions tested (frontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, mid brain, and cerebellum) were lower than those of controls in Fe-D rats (p<0.05), but not changed in Fe-O rats. In Fe-D animals, serum and CSF Cu were not affected, while brain Cu levels in all tested regions (frontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus, mid brain, and cerebellum) were significantly increased (p<0.05). Likewise, the unidirectional transport rate constants $(K_{in})$ of Cu in CP, CSF, brain capillary and parenchyma were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the Fe-D rats. In contrast, with Fe-O, serum, CSF and brain Cu concentrations were significantly decreased as compared to controls (p<0.05). Cu transport was no significant change of Cu transport of serum in Fe-O rats. The mRNA levels of five Cu-related transporters were not affected by Fe status except DMT1 in the CP, which was increased in Fe-D and decreased in Fe-O. Our data suggest that Cu transport into brain and ensuing brain Cu levels are regulated by systemic Fe status. Fe deficiency appears to augment Cu transport by brain barriers, leading to an accumulation of Cu in brain parenchyma.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.153-164
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• 1995

Sympathomimetic amines, especially ephedrine, are a major ingredient in proprietary medications for symptomatic treatment of upper respiratory infections. Their frequent uses can lead to occasional instances of abuse and habituation. The clinical symptoms of ephedrine abuse are similar to that of amphetamine psychosis and resemble closely that of schizophrenia. Because both amphetamine psychosis and schizophrenia are thought to be mediated primarily through the action on catecholamines, ephedrine-induced changes of the biogenic amines can be suspected. However, there were few studies about the central effects of ephedrine because of the milder central action than peripheral. Therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to elucidate the relations between the effects of single or repeated administration of ephedrine on the regional levels of biogenic amines in rat brain and ephedrine-induced CNS stimulation. The male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $100{\sim}200\;g$ were used. After single or repeated administrations of ephedrine, blocks of tissue were obtained from frontal cortex, corpus striatum, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, substantia nigra and cerebellum. The concentration of biogenic amines(norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)) and their metabolites (3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid(HVA), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(5-HIAA)) were measured by means of high performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector(HPLC-ECD). The results obtained were as follows: 1) In the normal rat, the concentration of norepinephrine was the highest in hypothalamus. Dopamine, DOPAC and HVA were highest in corpus striatum, and 5-HT and 5-HIAA were highest in substantia nigra. Epinephrine was not detectable in any part of the brain tissue. 2) In a single administration of ephedrine, the concentration of DOPAC was decreased in corpus striatum. However, the other biogenic amines and their metabolites were not changed. 3) In repeated administration of ephedrine, the concentration of norepinephrine was decreased in all brain region checked. Dopamine was decreased in corpus striatum and substantia nigra and, increased in hypothalamus, and HVA was decreased in corpus striatum. 5-HT was decreased in all brain region except cerebellum and, 5-HIAA was decreased only in frontal cortex. The ratio of 5-HIAA/5-HT was increased in corpus striatum, thalamus, hypothalamus and substantia nigra. These data indicated that, although a single administration of ephedrine did not change the central neurotransmitters, repeated administration of ephedrine caused the decreases of norepinephrine and 5-HT in the most regions of brain, which may be responsible for the emergence of abnormal behavioral effect after ephedrine abuse.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2019

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a successful surgical treatment for both patients with chronical lameness and dogs who are nonresponsive to medical treatments, providing excellent joint function for returning dogs to the normal gait in 80% to 98% of hip dysplasia (HD) patients. The THA surgical implant system manufactured by BioMedtrix and Kyon are today widely accepted. When comparing the BioMedtrix biological fixation (BFX) system to the BioMedtrix cemented fixation (CFX) system, the many advantages of BFX, which include longer potential implant life, decreased risk of postoperative or later infection, and better implant stability, become evident. However, BFX implies a greater risk of femoral fracture during reaming and requires a more precise surgical technique to achieve good implant fit, given the press-fit nature of cementless THA. The purposes of this study are to both describe the mistakes and complications during stem implantation for beginner surgeons with both the BFX and the CFX systems and to document the initial result of 12 implantations in canine cadavers. Given the detailed evaluations of 3 specialists, who are Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons (DACVS), only 3 of 11 stems were appropriately sized. Specifically, 6 stems were anteverted rather than being retroverted; further, although 7 stems were coaxial with the femoral long axis in the frontal plane, the other stems were in the varus at the frontal plane, with the proximal medial stem adjacent to the medial femoral cortex. Moderate angulation from the cranial to the caudal directions was found in 4 cases in the sagittal plane. Additionally, 1 case of femoral fissure and 1 case of perforated femoral cortex were reported. It is not easy for surgeons performing cementless THA for the first time to achieve a good result, even though they completed an educational course about it and given that catastrophic complications often occurred during early surgical clinical cases. Therefore, ex-vivo studies are sincerely required to get an expertise by rehearsing the preparation of the femoral envelop in isolated bones. Further studies should be conducted to achieve both highly accurate implant size and correct orientation during the preoperative planning. Additionally, surgeons' learning curve should be examined in future investigations.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.68-72
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• 2005

Object:Nicotine dependence is the most common substance abuse disorder. One of the characteristics of nicotine dependence is craving. Regional activation of the brain induced by craving for nicotine was evaluated by using functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate neuroanatomical site of smoking craving. Method:A smoker who satisfied DSM-IV criteria for nicotine dependence and a non smoker was studied. MRI data were acquired on a 1.5T Magnetom Vision Plus with a head volume coil. Two sets of visual stimuli were presented to subjects in a random manner. One was the film scenes of inducing smoking craving and the other was neutral stimuli not related to smoking. There were two fMRI sessions before and after smoking or sham smoking. Data were analyzed using SPM99. Results:fMRI showed significant activated area in anterior cingulate and medial frontal lobes in the smoker during smoking craving. Right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and parietal lobes were activated in the control during visual stimulation before smoking. After smoking, there was no brain activation during visual stimulation in both of smoker and non smoker. Conclusion:Metabolic activity of the anterior cingulate and medial frontal lobes increased during craving for smoking. This result suggests that fMRI may be a valuable tool in the identification of neurobiological process of craving.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.242-247
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study is to determine whether the changes of contralateral sensorimotor cortical activation on functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can predict the neurological outcome among spinal cord injury (SCI) patients when the great toes are stimulated without notice. Methods : This study enrolled a total of 49 patients with SCI and investigated each patient's preoperative fMRI, postoperative fMRI, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) score, and neuropathic pain occurrence. Patients were classified into 3 groups according to the change of blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response on perioperative fMRI during proprioceptive stimulation with repetitive passive toe movements : 1) patients with a response of contralateral sensorimotor cortical activation in fMRI were categorized; 2) patients with a response in other regions; and 3) patients with no response. Correlation between the result of fMRI and each parameter was analyzed. Results : In fMRI data, ASIA score was likely to show greater improvement in patients in group A compared to those belonging to group B or C (p<0.001). No statistical significance was observed between the result of fMRI and neuropathic pain (p=0.709). However, increase in neuropathic pain in response to the signal change of the ipsilateral frontal lobe on fMRI was statistically significant (p=0.030). Conclusion : When there was change of BOLD response at the contralateral sensorimotor cortex on perioperative fMRI after surgery, relief of neurological symptoms was highly likely for traumatic SCI patients. In addition, development of neuropathic pain was likely to occur when there was change of BOLD response at ipsilateral frontal lobe.

• Psychiatry investigation
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1174-1180
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• 2018

Objective Structural changes of brain areas have been reported in depressive disorder and suicidal behavior (SB), in which TPH1 also has been known as a promising candidate gene. We investigated gray matter volume (GMV) differences, TPH1 rs1800532 and rs1799913 polymorphisms previously found to be associated with depressive disorder and SB, and the relationship between the two markers. Methods Thirteen depressive disorder patients with suicidal attempts (SA) and twenty healthy controls were included. We examined GMV differences using a voxel-based morphometry and regions of interest analysis. Direct sequencing was used for genotyping. Results The patients showed significant GMV reduction in left cerebral region including middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and anterior cingulate cortex; in right middle temporal gyrus; in left cerebellar tonsil; and in right cerebral region including precentral gyrus and postcentral gyrus (corrected p<0.005). The right precentral and postcentral gyri GMV values of AA and CA genotypes patients were significantly decreased compared to those of CC genotype subjects (corrected p=0.040). Conclusion These findings show the possibility that both GMV reductions and TPH1 rs1800532/rs1799913 A allele may be involved in the pathogenesis of depressive disorder patients with SA.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.861-869
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• 2022

In patients with Tourette's syndrome, a tic occurs when Mu wave synchronization is broken. Conversely, when Mu wave synchronization is achieved, a tick does not occur. When the tic is suppressed, the cognitive control response process is changed, and if the neurofeedback training that adjusts the EEG frequency power is performed with the changed, the patient will be treated autonomously without artificially suppressing the tic. The results of the research test suggest that if the tic patient does not artificially synchronize mu waves in the premotor cortex (Frontal Cortical 3 site), and if EEG control is performed autonomously like neurofeedback training, as a result, tics do not occur. Cognitive control response processes are altered when a subject is inhibited from tics. By training the altered cognitive control with neurofeedback that modulates EEG frequency power, the patient can be treated autonomously without artificially suppressing the tic.Mu-wave synchronizationcan now be added to existing neurofeedback treatment protocols such as SMR reinforcement, theta-beta-wave imbalance correction, and alpha-wave reinforcement. This study will be used in follow-up studies and clinical trials to more scientifically verify the neurofeedback treatment protocol, a treatment for patients with Tourette's syndrome.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.403-414
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• 2011

The current study examined brain regions associated with aesthetic experience to fractal images using functional MRI. The aesthetic estimations of the images showed that there is a general consensus regarding the perception of beautiful images. Out of 270 fractal images, fifty images rated highest(beautiful images) and fifty images rated lowest(non-beautiful images) were selected and presented to the participants. The two conditions were presented using the block design. Frontal lobes, cingulate gyri, and insula, the areas related to the cognitive and emotional processing in aesthetic experience, were activated when beautiful images were presented. In contrast, the middle occipital gyri and precuneus, the areas associated with experience of negative emotions, were activated when non-beautiful images were presented. The conjunction analysis showed activations in temporal areas in response to beautiful images and activations in parietal areas in response to non-beautiful images. These results indicate that beautiful images elicit semantic interpretations whereas non-beautiful images facilitate abstract processes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.180-185
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• 2006

Objective : Middle cerebral artery occlusion[MCAO] has widely been used to produce ischemic brain lesions. The lesions induced by MCAO tend to be variable in size because of the variance in the collateral blood supply found in the mouse brain. To establish a less invasive and reproducible focal ischemia model in mice, we modified the technique used for rat photo thrombosis model. Methods : Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to focal cerebral ischemia by photothrombosis of cortical microvessels. Cerebral infarction was produced by intraperitoneal injection of Rose Bengal, a photosensitive dye and by focal illumination through the skull. Motor impairment was assessed by the accelerating rotarod and staircase tests. The brain was perfusion-fixed for histological determination of infarct volume four weeks after stroke. Results : The lesion was located in the frontal and parietal cortex and the underlying white matter was partly affected. A relatively constant infarct volume was achieved one month after photothrombosis. The presence of the photothrombotic lesion was associated with severe impairment of the motor performance measured by the rotarod and staircase tests. Conclusion : Photothrombotic infarction in mice is highly reproducible in size and location. This procedure can provide a simple method to produce cerebral infarction in a unilateral motor cortex lesion. In addition, it can provide a suitable model for study of potential neuroprotective and therapeutic agents in human stroke.