• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2011

Mood disorder is unlikely to be a disease of a single brain region or a neurotransmitter system. Rather, it is now generally viewed as a multidimensional disorder that affects many neural pathways. Growing neuroimaging evidence suggests the anterior cingulate-pallidostriatal-thalamic-amygdala circuit as a putative cortico-limbic mood regulating circuit that may be dysfunctional in mood disorders. Brain-imaging techniques have shown increased activation of mood-generating limbic areas and decreased activation of cortical areas in major depressive disorder(MDD). Furthermore, the combination of functional abnormalities in limbic subcortical neural regions implicated in emotion processing together with functional abnormalities of prefrontal cortical neural regions probably result in the emotional lability and impaired ability to regulate emotion in bipolar disorder. Here we review the biological correlates of MDD and bipolar disorder as evidenced by neuroimaging paradigms, and interpret these data from the perspective of endophenotype. Despite possible limitations, we believe that the integration of neuroimaging research findings will significantly advance our understanding of affective neuroscience and provide novel insights into mood disorders.

• Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.512-527
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• 2018

This review provides a comprehensive overview of brain imaging studies of the brain-gut interaction in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Functional neuroimaging studies during gut stimulation have shown enhanced brain responses in regions related to sensory processing of the homeostatic condition of the gut (homeostatic afferent) and responses to salience stimuli (salience network), as well as increased and decreased brain activity in the emotional response areas and reduced activation in areas associated with the top-down modulation of visceral afferent signals. Altered central regulation of the endocrine and autonomic nervous responses, the key mediators of the brain-gut axis, has been demonstrated. Studies using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging reported abnormal local and global connectivity in the areas related to pain processing and the default mode network (a physiological baseline of brain activity at rest associated with self-awareness and memory) in FGIDs. Structural imaging with brain morphometry and diffusion imaging demonstrated altered gray- and white-matter structures in areas that also showed changes in functional imaging studies, although this requires replication. Molecular imaging by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and positron emission tomography in FGIDs remains relatively sparse. Progress using analytical methods such as machine learning algorithms may shift neuroimaging studies from brain mapping to predicting clinical outcomes. Because several factors contribute to the pathophysiology of FGIDs and because its population is quite heterogeneous, a new model is needed in future studies to assess the importance of the factors and brain functions that are responsible for an optimal homeostatic state.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2008

The purpose of this review was to investigate the neurophysiological and neuroimaging characteristics of patients with depression and anxiety reported in previous studies. A literature search was conducted using Medline and psychiatric textbooks. "Electroencephalography (EEG)", "Event Related Potentials (ERP)", "functional neuroimaging", "heart rate variability (HRV)" and "depression or anxiety" were used as key words. A physiological finding indicated that there was a higher degree of relativity with regards to prefrontal dysfunction in patients with depression. Right prefrontal lobe hyperactivity and left prefrontal hypoactivity were consistently observed, and abnormalities were observed in other regions (ACC, hippocampus, amygdala, etc.). Therefore, dysfunctions in these areas are related to depressive symptoms. In patients with anxiety disorder, each emotional condition showed specific activation patterns in different brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex, occipital lobe, temporal lobe, hippocampus, and limbic system, including the amygdala. However, in the majority of patients with anxiety disorder, the degree of activation was higher in the right hemisphere than in the left hemisphere. The current data supports that there is a difference in brain dysfunction characteristics between depression and anxiety and that the different activations of various brain regions would play a significant role in the pathophysiology of depression and anxiety disorder.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current state of clinical trials for acupuncture treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) using neuroimaging methods. Methods: We searched for clinical trial studies of acupuncture treatment for Parkinson's disease that used neuroimaging methods in the MEDLINE (PubMed) database. The identified studies were then selected manually based on inclusion criteria. We subsequently analyzed the characteristics of the selected articles and reviewed the neural substrates of acupuncture treatment in PD. Results: Eight studies were included. The most frequently applied modality for PD was functional MRI. The most frequently selected acupoint for PD was GV34. Several studies showed that acupuncture treatment could improve the symptoms of PD. Through the analysis, we demonstrated that the neuroimaging method could capture the neural substrates associated with PD and that acupuncture treatment may affect the activation of brain areas that are impaired in PD in a different way than sham acupuncture. Conclusions: Applying a neuroimaging method could be helpful in clinical trials of acupuncture treatment for PD, and more efforts should be made in this area.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.88-95
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• 2020

Accurate localization of the seizure onset zone is important for better seizure outcomes and preventing deficits following epilepsy surgery. Recent advances in neuroimaging techniques have increased our understanding of the underlying etiology and improved our ability to noninvasively identify the seizure onset zone. Using epilepsy-specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols, structural MRI allows better detection of the seizure onset zone, particularly when it is interpreted by experienced neuroradiologists. Ultra-high-field imaging and postprocessing analysis with automated machine learning algorithms can detect subtle structural abnormalities in MRI-negative patients. Tractography derived from diffusion tensor imaging can delineate white matter connections associated with epilepsy or eloquent function, thus, preventing deficits after epilepsy surgery. Arterial spin-labeling perfusion MRI, simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG)-functional MRI (fMRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) are noinvasive imaging modalities that can be used to localize the epileptogenic foci and assist in planning epilepsy surgery with positron emission tomography, ictal single-photon emission computed tomography, and intracranial EEG monitoring. MEG and fMRI can localize and lateralize the area of the cortex that is essential for language, motor, and memory function and identify its relationship with planned surgical resection sites to reduce the risk of neurological impairments. These advanced structural and functional imaging modalities can be combined with postprocessing methods to better understand the epileptic network and obtain valuable clinical information for predicting long-term outcomes in pediatric epilepsy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.119-130
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• 2005

Stroke is a leading cause of chronic physical disability. The recent randomized controlled trials have that motor function of chronic stroke survivors could be improved through physical or pharmacologic intervention in the stroke rehabilitation setting. In addition, several functional neuroimaging techniques have recently developed, it is available to study the functional topography of sensorimotor area of the brain. However, the mechanisms involved in motor recovery after stroke, are still poorly understood. Four motor recovery mechanisms have been suggested, such as reorganization into areas adjacent to the injured primary motor cortex (M1), unmasking of the motor pathway from the unaffected motor cortex to the affected hand, attribution of secondary motor areas, and recovery of the damaged contralateral corticospinal tract. Understanding the motor recovery mechanisms would provide neurorehabilitation specialists with more information to allow for precise prognosis and therapeutic strategies based on the scientific evidence; this may help promote recovery of motor function. This review introduces several methodologies for neuroimaging techniques and discusses theoretical issues that impact interpretation of functional imaging studies of motor recovery after stroke. Perspectives, for future research are presented.

• 대한불안의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2006.02a
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• pp.28-38
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• 2006

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.8
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• pp.779-785
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• 2010

In pre-surgical evaluation of pediatric epilepsy, the combined use of multiple imaging modalities for precise localization of the epileptogenic focus is a worthwhile endeavor. Advanced neuroimaging by high field Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), diffusion tensor images, and MR spectroscopy have the potential to identify subtle lesions. $^{18}F$-FDG positron emission tomography and single photon emission tomography provide visualization of metabolic alterations of the brain in the ictal and interictal states. These techniques may have localizing value for patients which exhibit normal MRI scans. Functional MRI is helpful for non-invasively identifying areas of eloquent cortex. These advances are improving our ability to noninvasively detect epileptogenic foci which have gone undetected in the past and whose accurate localization is crucial for a favorable outcome following surgical resection.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.222-228
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• 2020

The purpose of this article was to investigate the current state of studies on clinical trials of acupuncture treatment for Alzheimer's disease using neuroimaging method. We searched for clinical trials of acupuncture treatment for Alzheimer's disease(AD) and mild cognitive impairment(MCI) using neuroimaging method in the MEDLINE (Pubmed) database on March 18, 2020. Once the online search was finished, studies were selected manually by the inclusion criteria. Finally, we analyzed the characteristics of selected articles and reviewed the neural substrates of acupuncture treatment in AD. Total ten studies were included in this study. The most frequently applied modality for AD was functional MRI. The most frequently selected acupoints for AD were KI3, LR3 and LI4. One of studies showed that acupuncture treatment could improve the symptoms of MCI. Through the analysis, we demonstrated that neuroimaging method could capture the neural substrates associated with AD. Moreover, acupuncture may induce differential response according to the disease status. Finally, real acupuncture could produce more extensive activation/deactivation than sham acupuncture. We hope that neuroimaging method can contribute to the clinical research of acupuncture treatment for AD through large-scale RCT and diverse imaging modality.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2006

Addiction to illicit drugs is one of today's most important social issues. Most addictive drugs lead to irreversible parenchymal changes in the human brain. Neuroimaging data bring to light the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of the abused drugs, and demonstrate that addiction is a disease of the brain. Continuous researches better illustrate the neurochemical alterations in brain function, and attempt to discover the links to consequent behavioral changes. Newer hypotheses and theories follow the numerous results, and more rational methods of approaching therapy are being developed. Substance abuse is on the rise in Korea, and social interest in the matter as well. On the other hand, diagnosis and treatment of drug addiction is still very difficult, because how the abused substance acts in the brain, or how it leads to behavioral problems is not widely known. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of drug addiction can improve the process of diagnosing addict patients, planning therapy, and predicting the prognosis. Neuroimaging approaches by nuclear medicine methods are expected to objectively judge behavioral and neurochemical changes, and response to treatment. In audition, as genes associated with addictive behavior are discovered, functional nuclear medicine images will aid in the assessment of individuals. Reviewing published literature on neuroimaging regarding nuclear medicine is expected to be of assistance to the management of drug addict patients. What's more, means of applying nuclear medicine to the care of drug addict patients should be investigated further.