• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.3-4
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• 2018

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating disorder resulting from loss of dopamine neurons. In dopamine deficient state, the basal ganglia increases inhibitory synaptic outputs to the thalamus. This increased inhibition by the basal ganglia output is known to reduce firing rate of thalamic neurons that relay motor signals to the motor cortex. This 'rate model' suggests that the reduced excitability of thalamic neurons is the key for inducing motor abnormalities in PD patients. We reveal that in response to inhibition, thalamic neurons generate rebound firing at the end of inhibition. This rebound firing increases motor cortical activity and induces muscular responses that triggers Parkinsonian motor dysfunction. Genetic and optogenetic intervention of the rebound firing prevent motor dysfunction in a mouse model of PD. Our results suggest that inhibitory synaptic mechanism mediates motor dysfunction by generating rebound excitability in the thalamocortical pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.155-170
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• 2003

Lumbar segmental instability is considered to represent a significant sub-group within the chronic low back pain population. This condition has a unique clinical presentation that displays its symptoms and movement dysfunction within the neutral zone of the motion segment. The loosening of the motion segment secondary to injury and associated dysfunction of the local muscle system renders it biomechanically vulnerable in the neutral zone. There in evidence of muscle dysfunction related to the control of the movement system. There is a clear link between reduced proprioceptive input, altered slow motor unit recruitment and the development of chronic pain states. Dysfunction in the global and local muscle systems in presented to support the development of a system of classification of muscle function and development of dysfunction related to musculoskeletal pain. The global muscles control range of movement and alignment, and evidence of dysfunction is presented in terms of imbalance in recruitment and length between the global stability muscles and the global mobility muscles. The local stability muscles demonstrate evidence of failure of aeequate segmental control in terms of allowing excessive uncontrolled translation or specific loss of cross-sectional area at the site of pathology Motor recruitment deficits present as altered timing and patterns of recruitment. The evidence of local and global dysfunction allows the development of an integrated model of movement dysfunction. The clinical diagnosis of this chronic low back pain condition is based on the report of pain and the observation of movement dysfunction within the neutral zone and the associated finding of excessive intervertebral motion at the symptomatic level. Four different clinical patterns are described based on the directional nature of the injury and the manifestation of the patient's symptoms and motor dysfunction. A specific stabilizing exercise intervention based on a motor learning model in proposed and evidence for the efficacy of the approach provided.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.523-530
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• 2024

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the nigrostriatal pathway, leading to motor and non-motor dysfunctions, such as depression, olfactory dysfunction, and memory impairment. Although levodopa (L-dopa) has been the gold standard PD treatment for decades, it only relieves motor symptoms and has no effect on non-motor symptoms or disease progression. Prior studies have reported that 6-shogaol, the active ingredient in ginger, exerts a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons by suppressing neuroinflammation in PD mice. This study investigated whether cotreatment with 6-shogaol and L-dopa could attenuate both motor and non-motor symptoms and dopaminergic neuronal damage. Both 6-shogaol (20 mg/kg) and L-dopa (80 mg/kg) were orally administered to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine/probenecid-induced PD model mice for 26 days. The experimental results showed that L-dopa alleviated motor symptoms, but had no significant effect on non-motor symptoms, loss of dopaminergic neuron, or neuroinflammation. However, when mice were treated with 6-shogaol alone or in combination with L-dopa, an amelioration in both motor and non-motor symptoms such as depression-like behavior, olfactory dysfunction and memory impairment was observed. Moreover, 6-shogaol-only or co-treatment of 6-shogaol with L-dopa protected dopaminergic neurons in the striatum and reduced neuroinflammation in the striatum and substantia nigra. Overall, these results suggest that 6-shogaol can effectively complement L-dopa by improving non-motor dysfunction and restoring dopaminergic neurons via suppressing neuroinflammation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.142-149
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• 2022

Background: Individuals with Down syndrome present with several impairments such as hypotonia, ligament laxity, decreased muscle strength, insufficient muscular cocontraction, inadequate postural control, and disturbed proprioception. These factors are responsible for the developmental challenges faced by children with Down syndrome. These individuals also present with balance dysfunctions. Purpose: This systematic review aims to describe the motor dysfunction and balance impairments in children and adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods: We searched the Scopus, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, Wiley, and EBSCO databases for observational studies evaluating the motor abilities and balance performance in individuals with Down syndrome. The review was registered on PROSPERO. Results: A total of 1,096 articles were retrieved; after careful screening and scrutinizing against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles were included in the review. Overall, the children and adolescents with Down syndrome showed delays and dysfunction in performing various activities such as sitting, pulling to stand, standing, and walking. They also presented with compensatory mechanisms to maintain their equilibrium in static and dynamic activities. Conclusion: The motor development of children with Down syndrome is significantly delayed due to structural differences in the brain. These individuals have inefficient compensatory strategies like increasing step width, increasing frequency of mediolateral center of pressure displacement, decreasing anteroposterior displacement, increasing trunk stiffness, and increasing posterior trunk displacement to maintain equilibrium. Down syndrome presents with interindividual variations; therefore, a thorough evaluation is required before a structured intervention is developed to improve motor and balance dysfunction.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.291-302
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• 2022

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most debilitating disorders throughout the world, causing persistent sensory-motor dysfunction, with no effective treatment. Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses play key roles in the secondary phase of SCI. Naringenin (NAR) is a natural flavonoid with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. This study aims at evaluating the effects of intrathecal NAR administration on sensory-motor disability after SCI. Methods: Animals underwent a severe compression injury using an aneurysm clip. About 30 minutes after surgery, NAR was injected intrathecally at the doses of 5, 10, and 15 mM in 20 µL volumes. For the assessment of neuropathic pain and locomotor function, acetone drop, hot plate, inclined plane, and Basso, Beattie, Bresnahan tests were carried out weekly till day 28 post-SCI. Effects of NAR on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 activity was appraised by gelatin zymography. Also, histopathological analyses and serum levels of glutathione (GSH), catalase and nitrite were measured in different groups. Results: NAR reduced neuropathic pain, improved locomotor function, and also attenuated SCI-induced weight loss weekly till day 28 post-SCI. Zymography analysis showed that NAR suppressed MMP-9 activity, whereas it increased that of MMP-2, indicating its anti-neuroinflammatory effects. Also, intrathecal NAR modified oxidative stress related markers GSH, catalase, and nitrite levels. Besides, the neuroprotective effect of NAR was corroborated through increased survival of sensory and motor neurons after SCI. Conclusions: These results suggest intrathecal NAR as a promising candidate for medical therapeutics for SCI-induced sensory and motor dysfunction.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.73-73
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• 2003

Purpose: To determine the motor cortex dysfunction in hemiparetic patients due to deep intracerebral hematoma, authors performed proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (lH MRS) for the evaluation of biochemical changes in the cortex on affected hemisphere according to axonal injury at the level of internal capsule. Methods: Ten control subjects and 14 patients with documentable hemiparesis of varying severity hemiparesis were included. All the hemiparesis was caused by deep intracerebral hematoma (putaminal and thalamic hemorrhage). In vivo 1H MRS study was performed on a 3T MRI/MRS system using STEAM sequence. As a single-voxel technique, Spectral parameters were: 20 ms TE, 2000 ms TR, 128 averages, 2500 Hz spectral width, and 2048 data points. Results: We found that the mean N-acetylaspartate (NAA)/phosphocreatine (Cr) and NAA/choline (Cho) ratios were significantly decreased in the motor cortex of the hemiparesis patients compared with control subjects. Conclusions: 1H MRS examinations of the motor cortex might help to differentiate distinct clinical entities of hemiparesis and to monitor pharmacological effects in therapeutic trials, providing a quantitative biological marker for motor neuron dysfunction. Acknowledgement: This study was supported by a grant of the Center for Functional and Metabolic Imaging Technology, Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea. (02-PJ3-PG6-EV07-000).

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 2018

Background: Long-term levodopa therapy relieves the motor dysfunction associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), but has various effects on non-motor symptoms, including cognitive dysfunction, hallucinations, and affective disorders, and can exacerbate certain aspects of dementia-like cognitive dysfunction. Here, we investigated the relationship between levodopa treatment and development of dementia in patients with PD. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 76 consecutive patients with PD who had taken levodopa between 2011 and 2015. The participants were initially free of dementia and had initial daily levodopa doses of below 600 mg. Patients who did and did not develop comorbid dementia were compared in terms of potential predictor variables, including PD onset age, sex, levodopa doses, and non-dementia comorbidities. Results: Of the 76 patients, 21 (27.6%) developed dementia, which was followed by hallucinations and insomnia. The independent predictors of incident dementia were PD onset age and second-year and third-year average levodopa doses that were higher than the first-year average levodopa dose. Patients who developed dementia had significantly higher average daily levodopa doses and levodopa dose increases over the 6-year treatment period than those who did not develop dementia. In addition, patients with higher levodopa doses were more likely to experience hallucinations. Conclusion: These results suggest that increases in levodopa doses may be associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment in patients with PD. Therefore, motor and cognitive functions and levodopa dose increases should be evaluated regularly during long-term levodopa therapy in patients with PD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3 s.71
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• pp.289-298
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• 2007

Objectives : Electrical acupoint stimulation (EAS) has been used to treat motor dysfunction of stroke patients with reportedly effective results. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of EAS with different frequencies in treating motor dysfunction of ischemic stroke patients. Methods : The subjects of this study were sixty-two ischemic stroke patients with motor dysfunction at Kyunghee Oriental Medicine Hospital who were hospitalized for one week to one month from onset. They were treated with 2Hz or 120Hz EAS for two weeks, and motor evoked potentials (MEP) were measured before and after EAS treatment. To compare the effect of 2Hz EAS with 120Hz, we measured latency, central motor conduction time (CMCT) and amplitude of MEP before and after EAS treatment. Results : After two weeks of treatment, we compared MEP data of the affected side between the 2Hz group and the 120Hz group. The 2Hz group showed more significant improvement than the 120Hz group in latency, CMCT and amplitude (P=0.008, 0.002, 0.002). In case of the affected side MEP data divided by normal side MEP data, the 2Hz group also showed improvement on latency, CMCT and amplitude with significant differences (P=0.003, 0.000, 0.008). Conclusions : These results suggest that low frequency EAS activates the central motor conduction system better than high frequency EAS, and it means that EAS with low frequency is more helpful for motor recovery after ischemic stroke than that with high frequency.

• Journal of Naturopathy
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.37-45
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• 2020

Purpose: Symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) include tremors, bradykinesia, and rigidity. The purpose was to explore the effects of breathing, meditation and qigong on the improving of insight, behavior, mood discomfort, depression, anxiety, and olfactory dysfunction, which are PD non-motor symptoms. Methods: Three stages of An's-4444 healing breathing, An's Gwanjeong healing meditation, and healing qigong performed 12 times for 80 minutes at a time in subjects with PD (11 patients), and pre- and post-measurements compared and evaluated. Results: The Integrated Parkinson's Rating Scale (UPDRSI) for mood discomfort after 12 healings was 69%. The Depression Scale (61%) for HAMD, and 64% for Anxiety (HAMA)), and the smell identification test (TSI) for a trial for olfactory dysfunction, improved to 82%, respectively. However, the numerical values after one month after 12 healing were almost same in all four scales. This means that the healing effect maintained until after one month. Conclusions: An's healing breathing, meditation and qigong therapy significantly improved insight, behavior, and mood discomfort, and non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and olfactory dysfunction. These results suggest that An's breathing, meditation and qigong therapy are valuable as a primary therapy to improve and heal non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients. Further research in biomedical science is needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.33-42
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of Scutellariae radix (SR) water extract on locomotor dysfunction induced by spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Methods : SCI was induced mechanical contusion following laminectomy of 10 th thoracic vertebra in Sprague-Dawley rats. SR was orally given once a day for 7 days after SCI. Neurological behavior was examined with the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating scale. Tissue damage and nerve fiber degeneration were examined with cresyl violet and luxol fast blue (LFB) histochemistry. Using immunohistochemistry, cellular damages to neurons and nerve fibers were examined MAP-2. Results : 1. SR significantly ameliorated the locomotor dysfunction of the SCI-induced rats. 2. SR significantly reduced the number of motor neurons in the ventral horn of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. 3. SR attenuated the reduction of nerve fiber shirnakage and degeneration of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. 4. SR attenuated the reduction of MAP-2 positive cells in the peri-lesion of the SCI-induced rat spinal cord. Conclusions : These results suggest that SR improves the locomotor dysfunction of SCI by reducing degeneration of nerve fibers and motor neuron shrinkage in the ventral horn.