• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.527-537
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• 2020

Panax ginseng, a medicinal plant, has been used as a blood-nourishing tonic for thousands of years in Asia, including Korea and China. P. ginseng exhibits adaptogen activity that maintains homeostasis by restoring general biological functions and non-specifically enhancing the body's resistance to external stress. Several P. ginseng effects have been reported. Korean Red Ginseng, in particular, has been reported in both basic and clinical studies to possess diverse effects such as enhanced immunity, fatigue relief, memory, blood circulation, and anti-oxidation. Moreover, it also protects against menopausal symptoms, cancer, cardiac diseases, and neurological disorders. The active components found in most Korean Red Ginseng varieties are known to include ginsenosides, polysaccharides, peptides, alkaloids, polyacetylene, and phenolic compounds. In this review, the identity and bioactivity of the non-saponin components of Korean Red Ginseng discovered to date are evaluated and the components are classified into polysaccharide and nitrogen compounds (protein, peptide, amino acid, nucleic acid, and alkaloid), as well as fat-soluble components such as polyacetylene, phenols, essential oils, and phytosterols. The distinct bioactivity of Korean Red Ginseng was found to originate from both saponin and non-saponin components rather than from only one or two specific components. Therefore, it is important to consider saponin and non-saponin elements together.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.13-26
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• 2007

Background: Neurofeedback is an electroencephalographic biofeedback technique for training individuals to alter their brain activity via operant conditioning. Also neurofeedback is a form of behavioural training aimed at developing skills for brain activity. Within the past decade, several neurofeedback studies have been published that tend to overcome the methodological shortcomings of earlier studies. This research describes the methodical basis of neurofeedback and reviews the evidence base for its clinical efficacy and effectiveness in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: In neurofeedback training, self-regulation of specific aspects of electrical brain activity is acquired by means of immediate feedback and positive reinforcement. In frequency training, activity in different EEG frequency bands has to be decreased or increased. Slow cortical potentials (SCPs) training is focused on the regulation of cortical excitability. Results: Neurofeedback studies revealed training-specific effects on, for example, attention and memory processes and performance improvements in real-life conditions, in healthy subjects as well as in patients. In several studies it was shown that ADHD symptomatology was reduced after frequency training or SCP(Slow cortical potentials) training. Moreover a decrease of impulsivity errors and an increase of the contingent negative variation. Conclusions: This research provides evidence for both positive behavioural and specific neurophysiological effects of neurofeedback training. Also there is growing evidence for neurofeedback as a valuable module in neuropsychiatric disorders. Further, controlled studies are warranted.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between symptom severity and neurocognitive factors in traumatic head injury patients. In addition, the effect of frontal lobe damage on these parameters was examined. Methods : We selected 18 patients who had brain damage for the moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (MSTBI) group, and 17 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) without the finding of brain damage for the comparison group. For the evaluation of neurocognitive function, K-WAIS, Rey-Kim Memory Test, K-FENT, WCST, and MMPI-2 were used. Results : The results of the comparison (using the malingering scale) revealed that the values of PDS and PK, which express the severity of symptoms, and the values of the validity scale F, F (B), and F (P) were significantly higher in the overly-expressed group. F (B) in overly-expressed group and PK, Pt, and Sc in the properly-expressed group had significant correlation with the severity of symptoms. F (B), S, and Stroop error inhibition in PTSD, and PK, Pt, Sc, and MQ in MSTBI had significant correlation with the severity of symptoms. The results of the comparison based on the finding of frontal lobe damage revealed that PDS, EIQ, and MQ ware significantly higher in the group without brain damage. Conclusions : It was revealed that each neurocognitive factor was correlated with the severity of symptoms. There was a decrease in complaints or symptoms reported by the frontal lobe injury group, and this is believed to be due to degenerative change in the personality and emotional functioning of these patients following frontal lobe damage.

• Journal of Menopausal Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2018

Objectives: The present mini review aimed to summarize the existing knowledge regarding the beneficial and adverse effects of raloxifene in menopausal women. Methods: This study is a review of relevant publications about the effects of raloxifene on sleep disorder, depression, venous thromboembolism, the plasma concentration of lipoprotein, breast cancer, and cognitive function among menopausal women. Results: Raloxifene showed no significant effect on depression and sleep disorder. Verbal memory improved with administration of 60 mg/day of raloxifene while a mild cognitive impairment risk reduction by 33% was observed with administration of 120 mg/day of raloxifene. Raloxifene was associated with a 50% decrease in the need for prolapse surgery. The result of a meta-analysis showed a significant decline in the plasma concentration of lipoprotein in the raloxifene group compared to placebo (standardized mean difference, -0.43; 10 trials). A network meta-analysis showed that raloxifene significantly decreased the risk of breast cancer (relative risk, 0.572; 95% confidence interval, 0.327-0.881; P = 0.01). In terms of adverse effects of raloxifene, the odds ratio (OR) was observed to be 1.54 (P = 0.006), indicating 54% increase in the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while the OR for pulmonary embolism (PE) was 1.05, suggesting a 91% increase in the risk of PE alone (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Raloxifene had no significant effect on depression and sleep disorder but decreased the concentration of lipoprotein. Raloxifene administration was associated with an increased risk of DVT and PE and a decreased risk of breast cancer and pelvic organ prolapse in postmenopausal women.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.10 no.12
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• pp.216-225
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• 2020

This study was conducted to qualitatively analyze the selected research through a systematic review to find out application method, outcome measures, and intervention effects of dual task. We searched for published studies from January 2010 to December 2019. Electrical database were PubMed and ProQuest. Search terms were 'dual task' OR 'multi modal' AND 'mild cognitive impairment' OR 'dementia' OR 'Alzheimer's disease'AND 'intervention' OR 'rehabilitation. There were 8 studies selected finally. The dual task was applied not as a single intervention but as a combined intervention with other exercises. The contents of dual task were consisted of motor and cognitive tasks to be independent each other. The outcome measures included general cognitive function such as MMSE and CERAD, executive function, and memory. Additionally the dual task cost was also used to identify the direct improvement of the dual task. This study could provide informations of dual task application on elderly with cognitive impairment.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.33-39
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• 2022

Objectives The early growth response 3 (EGR3) gene located in chromosome 8p21.3 is one of the susceptibility loci in many psychiatric disorders. EGR3 gene plays critical roles in signal transduction in the brain, which is involved in neuronal plasticity, neuronal development, learning, memory, and circadian rhythms. Recent studies have suggested EGR3 as a potential susceptibility gene for bipolar disorder (BPD). However, this requires further replication with an independent sample set. Methods To investigate the genetic role of EGR3 in Korean patients, we genotyped six single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the chromosome region of EGR3 in 1076 Korean BPD patients and 773 healthy control subjects. Results Among the six examined SNPs of EGR3 (rs17088531, rs1996147, rs3750192, rs35201266, rs7009708, rs1008949), SNP rs35201266, rs7009708, rs1008949 showed a significant association with BPD (p = 0.0041 for rs35201266 and BPD2, p = 0.0074 for rs1008949 and BPD, p = 0.0052 for rs1008949 and BPD1), which withstand multiple testing correction. In addition, the 'G-C-C-C' and 'G-C-G-C' haplotypes of EGR3 were overrepresented in the patients with BPD (p = 0.0055, < 0.0001, respectively) and the 'G-T-G-C' haplotype of EGR3 was underrepresented in patients with BPD (p = 0.0040). Conclusions In summary, our study supports the association of EGR3 with BPD in Korean population sample, and EGR3 could be suggested as a compelling susceptibility gene in BPD.

• Hanyang Medical Reviews
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2013

Follicular helper T cells (Tfh) play a significant role in providing T cell help to B cells during the germinal center reaction, where somatic hypermutation, affinity maturation, isotype class switching, and the differentiation of memory B cells and long-lived plasma cells occur. Antigen-specific T cells with IL-6 and IL-21 upregulate CXCR5, which is required for the migration of T cells into B cell follicles, where these T cells mature into Tfh. The surface markers including PD-1, ICOS, and CD40L play a significant role in providing T cell help to B cells. The upregulation of transcription factor Bcl-6 induces the expression of CXCR5, which is an important factor for Tfh differentiation, by inhibiting the expression of other lineage-specific transcription factors such as T-bet, GATA3, and RORγt. Surprisingly, recent evidence suggests that CD4 T cells already committed to Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells obtain flexibility in their differentiation programs by downregulating T-bet, GATA3, and RORγt, upregulating Bcl-6 and thus convert into Tfh. Limiting the numbers of Tfh within germinal centers is important in the regulation of the autoantibody production that is central to autoimmune diseases. Recently, it was revealed that the germinal center reaction and the size of the Tfh population are also regulated by thymus-derived follicular regulatory T cells (Tfr) expressing CXCR5 and Foxp3. Dysregulation of Tfh appears to be a pathogenic cause of autoimmune disease suggesting that tight regulation of Tfh and germinal center reaction by Tfr is essential for maintaining immune tolerance. Therefore, the balance between Tfh and Tfr appears to be a critical peripheral tolerance mechanism that can inhibit autoimmune disorders.

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1103-1118
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• 2011

This study aims to examine the effects of employment on the physical health, psychological function, and life satisfaction of the elderly. Participants were 4,165 persons (men 1,739, women 2,426) aged 65 over. Physical health was composed of ADLs(Activities of daily living), pains, and disorders. Psychological function was measured by cognitive functions (subtraction, instruction execution, memory test, and item use) and emotional difficulty. Life satisfaction, work satisfaction, and work level were also measured. Major findings in this study are as follows: First, gender, marriage, and education level had significant effects on the participants' life satisfaction, but religion and financial incomes did not. Second, employment had significant effects on their physical health, psychological function, and life satisfaction. Third, pain, cognitive functions, emotional difficulty, and work satisfaction had significant effects on the life satisfaction of the working elderly. But, work level and incomes had not significant effects on the elderly's life satisfaction. In addition, an interaction between cognitive functions and emotional difficulty on life satisfaction was found.

• Journal of Korean geriatric psychiatry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.86-91
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• 2014

Objective : The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of co-morbid depression and related factors of depression in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients. Methods : Nine hundred and six MCI individuals were included in this study. Depression was defined as major and minor depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV). Depression-related demographic and clinical factors were also explored through multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results : In MCI patients, the prevalence of depression as defined according to the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria was 1.8% for major depressive disorder, 11.4% for minor depressive disorder, and overall 13.2% for both. Multivariate logistic regression showed that increased prevalence of overall depression was associated with female gender and non-amnestic subtype of MCI. Conclusion : Our findings based on a large number of MCI subjects who visited memory clinic indicated that more than ten percent of MCI patients have comorbid depression. In addition, female and non-amnestic subtype of MCI patients seems to be more vulnerable to depression.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.59-70
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• 2022

Background and Purpose: Neurofilament light chain (NfL) has been considered as a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). We measured plasma NfL levels in older adults with cognitive complaints and evaluated their clinical usefulness in AD. Methods: Plasma levels of NfL, measured by using the single molecule array method, were acquired in a total of 113 subjects consisting of subjective cognitive decline (SCD; n=14), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n=37), or dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT; n=62). Plasma NfL level was compared among three groups, and its association with cognitive and functional status was also analyzed. Results: After adjusting for age, plasma NfL level was higher in subjects with DAT (65.98±84.96 pg/mL), compared to in subjects with SCD (16.90±2.54 pg/mL) or MCI (25.53±10.42 pg/mL, p=0.004). NfL levels were correlated with scores of the mini-mental state examination (r=-0.242, p=0.021), clinical dementia rating (CDR) (r=0.291, p=0.005), or CDR-sum of boxes (r=0.276, p=0.008). Just for participants who performed amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), the levels were different between subjects with PET (-) (n=17, 25.95±13.25 pg/mL) and PET (+) (n=16, 63.65±81.90 pg/mL, p=0.010). Additionally, plasma NfL levels were different between vascular dementia and vascular MCI, and between Parkinson's disease- dementia and no dementia. Conclusions: This pilot study shows that in subjects with DAT, plasma NfL levels increase. Plasma NfL level correlated with cognitive and functional status. Further longitudinal studies may help to apply the plasma NfL levels to AD, as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and predicting progression.