• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.91-101
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• 2002

Purpose : The aim of this study was to identify the brain areas in which reductions of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) were correlated with decline of general mental function, measured by Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Materials and Methods : Tc-99m HMPAO brain SPECT was peformed in 9 probable AD patients at the initial and follow-up periods of 1.8 years (average) after the first study. MMSE scores were also measured in both occasions. The mean MMSE score of the initial study 16.4 (range: 5 - 24) and the mean MMSE score of the follow-up was 8.1 (range: 0 - 17). Each SPECT image was normalized to the cerebellar activity and a correlation analysis was peformed between the level of rCBF in AD patients and the MMSE scores by voxel-based analysis using SPM99 software. Results : Significant correlation was found between the blood-flow decrease in left inferior prefrontal region (BA 47) and left middle temporal legion (BA 21) and the MMSE score changes. Additional areas such as anterior and posterior cingulate cortices, precuneus, and bilateral superior and middle prefrontal regions showed the similar trends. Conclusions : A relationship was found between reduction of regional cerebral blood flow in left prefrontal and temporal areas and decline of cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease(AD) patients. This voxel-based analysis is useful in evaluating the progress of cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.30-40
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• 2004

Purpose: The aims of this study were to find brain regions in which gray matter volume was reduced and to show the capability of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) analysis for lateralizing epileptogenic zones in medial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE). The findings were compared with fluorodeoxyglucose positron omission tomography (FDG PET). Materials and Methods: MR T1-weighted images of 12 left mTLE and 11 right mTLE patients were compared with those of 37 normal controls. Images were transformed to standard MNI space and averaged in order to create study-specific brain template. Each image was normalized to this local template and brain tissues were segmented. Modulation VBM analysis was performed in order to observe gray matter volume change. Gray matter was smoothed with a Gaussian kernel. After these preprocessing, statistical analysis was peformed using statistical parametric mapping software (SPM99). FDG PET images were compared with those of 22 normal controls using SPM. Results: Gray matter volume was significantly reduced in the left amygdala and hippocampus in left mTLE. In addition, volume of cerebellum, anterior cingulate, and fusiform gyrus in both sides and left insula was reduced. In right mTLE, volume was reduced significantly in right hippocampus. In contrast, FDG uptake was decreased in broad areas of left or right temporal lobes in left TLE and right TLE, respectively. Conclusions: Gray matter loss was found in the ipsilateral hippocampus by modulation VBM analysis in medial temporal lobe epilepsy. This VBM analysis might be useful in lateralizing the epileptogenic zones in medial temporal lobe epilepsy, while SPM analysis of FDG PET disclosed hypometabolic epileptogenic zones.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.352-368
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• 2008

This study was done to evaluate the reliability of the digital color analysis system (ShadeScan, CYNOVAD, Montreal. Canada) for dentistry. Sixteen tooth models were made by injecting the A2 shade chemical cured resin for temporary crown into the impression acquired from 16 adults. Surfaces of the model teeth were polished with resin polishing cloth. The window of the ShadeScan handpiece was placed on the labial surface of tooth and tooth images were captured, and each tooth shade was analyzed with the ShadeScan software. Captured images were selected in groups, and compared one another. Two models were selected to evaluate repeatability of ShadeScan, and shade analysis was performed 10 times for each tooth. And, to ascertain the color difference of same shade code analyzed by ShadeScan, CIE $L^*a^*b^*$values of shade guide of Gradia Direct (GC, Tokyo, Japan) were measured on the white and black background using the Spectrolino (GretagMacbeth, USA), and Shade map of each shade guide was captured using the ShadeScan. There were no teeth that were analyzed as A2 shade and unique shade. And shade mapping analyses of the same tooth revealed similar shade and distribution except incisal third. Color difference (${\Delta}E^*$) among the Shade map which analyzed as same shade by ShadeScan were above 3. Within the limits of this study, digital color analysis instrument for dentistry has relatively high repeatability, but has controversial in accuracy.