• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제50권5호
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• pp.464-467
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• 2011

There have been very few reports in the literature of Guillain-Barr$\acute{e}$ syndrome (GBS) after spinal surgery. We present a unique case of GBS following spinal fusion for thoracic vertebral fracture. The aim of this report is to illustrate the importance of early neurological assessment and determining the exact cause of a new neurological deficit that occurs after an operation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.134-136
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• 2010

Bow hunter's stroke is a rare symptomatic vertebrobasilar insufficiency in which vertebral artery (VA) is mechanically occluded during head rotation. Various pathologic conditions have been reported as causes of bow hunter's stroke. However, bow hunter's stroke caused by facet hypertrophy of C1-2 has not been reported. A 71-year-old woman presented with symptoms of vertebrobasilar insufficiency. Spine computed tomography showed massive facet hypertrophy on the left side of C1-2 level. A VA angiogram with her head rotated to the right revealed significant stenosis of left VA. C1-2 posterior fixation and fusion was performed to prevent serious neurologic deficit from vertebrobasilar stroke.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.381-388
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• 2020

Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive psychostimulant and one of the most widely abused drugs worldwide. The continuous use of METH eventually leads to drug addiction and causes serious health complications, including attention deficit, memory loss and cognitive decline. These neurological complications are strongly associated with METH-induced neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation, which leads to neuronal cell death. The current review investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying METH-mediated neuronal damages. Our analysis demonstrates that the process of neuronal impairment by METH is closely related to oxidative stress, transcription factor activation, DNA damage, excitatory toxicity and various apoptosis pathways. Thus, we reach the conclusion here that METH-induced neuronal damages are attributed to the neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory effect of the drug. This review provides an insight into the mechanisms of METH addiction and contributes to the discovery of therapeutic targets on neurological impairment by METH abuse.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제56권2호
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• pp.108-113
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• 2014

Objective : Ankylosing spondylitis is an inflammatory rheumatic disease mainly affecting the axial skeleton. The rigid spine may secondarily develop osteoporosis, further increasing the risk of spinal fracture. In this study, we reviewed fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis that had been clinically diagnosed to better define the mechanism of injury, associated neurological deficit, predisposing factors, and management strategies. Methods : Between January 2003 and December 2013, 12 patients with 13 fractures with neurological complications were treated. Neuroimaging evaluation was obtained in all patients by using plain radiography, CT scan, and MR imaging. The ASIA Impairment Scale was used in order to evaluate the neurologic status of the patients. Management was based on the presence or absence of spinal instability. Results : A total of 9 cervical and 4 thoracolumbar fractures were identified in a review of patients in whom ankylosing spondylitis had been diagnosed. Of these, 7 fractures were associated with a hyperextension mechanism. 10 cases resulted in a fracture by minor trauma. Posttraumatic neurological deficits were demonstrated in 11 cases and neurological improvement after surgery was observed in 5 of these cases. Conclusions : Patients with ankylosing spondylitis are highly susceptible to spinal fracture and spinal cord injury even after only mild trauma. Initial CT or MR imaging of the whole spine is recommended even if the patient's symptoms are mild. The patient should also have early surgical stabilization to correct spinal deformity and avoid worsening of the patient's neurological status.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제66권4호
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• pp.400-408
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• 2023

Objective : Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 2 (NMNAT2) is a crucial factor for the survival of neuron. The role of NMNAT2 in damage following traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unknown. This study was designed to investigate the role of NMNAT2 in TBI-induced neuronal degeneration and neurological deficits in rats. Methods : The TBI model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats by a weight-dropping method. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, immunofluorescence, Fluoro-Jade C staining, and neurological score analyses were carried out. Results : NMNAT2 mRNA and protein levels were increased in the injured-side cortex at 6 hours and peaked 12 hours after TBI. Knocking down NMNAT2 with an injection of small interfering RNA in lateral ventricle significantly exacerbated neuronal degeneration and neurological deficits after TBI, which were accompanied by increased expression of BCL-2-associated X protein (Bax). Conclusion : NMNAT2 expression is increased and NMNAT2 exhibits neuroprotective activity in the early stages after TBI, and Bax signaling pathway may be involved in the process. Thus, NMNAT2 is likely to be an important target to prevent secondary damage following TBI.

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2000

목적 : 전이성 척추 종양은 가장 흔한 전이성 종양 중의 하나로 치료에 있어 보통 보존적 요법이 선호되어 왔으나 신경학적 증상과 삶의 질의 개선이 극히 불량하였다. 수술적 치료 후에 신경학적 증상의 변화와 임상증상의 개선정도, 생존 기간의 증가 등에 대해 평가하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 1991년 8월부터 1999년 6월까지 본원에서 경험하였던 전이성 척추 종양 중 수술적 치료 후 추시관찰이 가능하였던 14례를 대상으로 하여 의무기록과 방사선학적 검사 등을 후향적으로 검토하여 연령별, 성별, 해부학적 발생 부위별 분포와 각각의 원발 종양에 따른 골 전이의 양상에 대해 조사하였고, 방사선 치료로 도움이 안될 때, 신경학적 증상이 악화될 때, 척추 불안정성이 있을 때, 원발 종양을 알지 못할 때, 병적 골절이 있을 때, 기대여명이 6주 이상일 때, 만성적인 통증이 있을 때 시행하였던 수술적 치료 전후의 증상의 개선 정도를 평가하여 문헌 고찰과 함께 분석하였다. 결과 : 전이성 척추 종양은 여자에서 더 많이 발생하였고 30대에서 70대까지 연령이 다양하였으며 원발 종양으로 여자는 유방암, 남자는 폐암이 가장 많았고 가장 흔한 전이 부위는 흉추부였다. 수술 전 마비의 정도가 수술 후 임상 증상의 호전에 영향을 미친 것으로 나타났으며 수술 후 전이성 척추 종양의 평균 여명은 사망한 11례에서 8.9개월, 살아있는 3례에서 14.7개월이었다. 결론 : 전이성 종양에 대한 수술적 치료는 전이성 척수 종양이 의심될 때, 치료와 동시에 조기 진단이 가능하며 그 방법과 관계없이 동통과 신경학적 증상의 회복에 큰 도움을 줄 수 있고, 초기의 적극적 치료로 삶의 질과 생존 기간을 향상시킬 수 있다. 추후 원발 종양의 종류에 따른 전이성 척수 종양의 분류와 이에 따른 수술적 치료의 역할에 대한 평가가 더 필요하리라 사료된다.

• 대한중풍순환신경학회지
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.57-65
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• 2014

■ Objectives The purpose of this case report is to show an effect of korean medicine for patient with bilateral abducens nerve palsy. ■ Methods This patient was 58 year-old man who was diagnosed with bilateral abducens nerve palsy. The patient had Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia and dyslipidemia as underlying diseases. The patient had symptoms of limited eye movement to lateral, diplopia, dizziness and mild headache. He was treated by korean medicine, containing electroacupuncture, pharmacoacupuncture, moxibustion and herb medicines during 13 days of hospitalization and following outpatient department. His eye movement was evaluated by the method of Scott and kraft and discomfort from his symptoms was scored by the Numerous Rating Scale. And other general conditions were measured. ■ Results After that period, patient's abduction deficit was improved and subjective discomfort from his symptoms was getting better. His other conditions were also better, compared with his admission. ■ Conclusion This study suggests that Korean medicine could have a therapeutic effect for bilateral abducens nerve palsy. So, It could help to relieve patient's symptoms and make general conditions better.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권5호
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• pp.335-341
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• 2015

Objective : The main causes of spinal cord ischemia are a variety of vascular pathologies causing acute arterial occlusions. We investigated neuro-protective effects of kefir on spinal cord ischemia injury in rats. Methods : Rats were divided into three groups : 1) sham operated control rats; 2) spinal cord ischemia group fed on a standard diet without kefir pretreatment; and 3) spinal cord ischemia group fed on a standard diet plus kefir. Spinal cord ischemia was performed by the infrarenal aorta cross-clamping model. The spinal cord was removed after the procedure. The biochemical and histopathological changes were observed within the samples. Functional assessment was performed for neurological deficit scores. Results : The kefir group was compared with the ischemia group, a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels was observed (p<0.05). Catalase and superoxide dismutase levels of the kefir group were significantly higher than ischemia group (p<0.05). In histopathological samples, the kefir group is compared with ischemia group, there was a significant decrease in numbers of dead and degenerated neurons (p<0.05). In immunohistochemical staining, hipoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ and caspase 3 immunopositive neurons were significantly decreased in kefir group compared with ischemia group (p<0.05). The neurological deficit scores of kefir group were significantly higher than ischemia group at 24 h (p<0.05). Conclusion : Our study revealed that kefir pretreatment in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion reduced oxidative stress and neuronal degeneration as a neuroprotective agent. Ultrastructural studies are required in order for kefir to be developed as a promising therapeutic agent to be utilized for human spinal cord ischemia in the future.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.140-146
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• 2019

Background: This study investigated the effects of Vipera lebetina turanica snake venom (SV) on cerebral infarction induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in mice. Methods: Following cerebral infarction, SV was injected intravenously or added to BV2 cell culture. Tissue injury was detected using triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, neurological deficit score, NO, ROS, and GSH/GSSG assays, qPCR, Western blot, and cell viability. Results: Cerebral infarction caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion as observed by TTC staining, showed SV inhibited cell death, reducing the number of brain cells injured due to infarction. SV treatment for cerebral infarction showed a significant decrease in abnormal behavior, as determined by the neurological deficit score. The oxidation and inflammation of the cells that had cerebral infarction caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion (NO assay, ROS, GSH/GSSG assay, and qPCR), showed significant protection by SV. Western blot of brain infarction cells showed the expression of iNOS, COX-2, p-IkB-${\alpha}$, P38, p-JNK, p-ERK to be lower in the SV group. In addition, the expression of IkB increased. BV2 cells were viable when treated with SV at $20{\mu}g/mL$ or less. Western blot of BV2 cells, treated with 0.625, 1.5, $2.5{\mu}g/mL$ of SV, showed a significant decrease in the expression of p-IkB-${\alpha}$, p-JNK, iNOS, and COX-2 on BV2 cells induced by LPS. Conclusion: SV showed anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects against cerebral infarction and inflammation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제29권9호
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• pp.1171-1178
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• 2000

Objective : The purpose of the present study was to determine the appropriate time of clinical intervention by observing and analyzing the changes in the size of infarct, penumbra and cerebral edema and the extend of neurological deficit due to reperfusion damage according to time in a reversible cerebral ischemic model of reperfusing blood flow after inducing ischemia by maintaining middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 hours(h) in rats. Methods : The rats were divided according to reperfusion time into control group(0 h reperfusion time) and experimental groups(0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12, and 24 h of reperfusion time). Results : Changes in the size of infarction due to reperfusion damage were 0.93, 1.48 and 1.16% at 0.5, 1 and 2 h after reperfusion, respectively, and although a statistical significance was not present compared to 1.35% of the control group, damages increased drastically up to 6 h(6.64%), and the size increased were 6.65 and 6.78% at 12 and 24 h, respectively. Also there was no significant difference after 6 h up to 24 h in the size of infarction. In the areas where infarction occurred, reperfusion damage increased significantly with time in cortex than in subcortex. Accordingly, the size of penumbra area also showed a statistically significant decrease from 2 h up to 6 h after reperfusion, and 6 h after reperfusion, the area almost disappeared, becoming permanent infarction. Thus, reperfusion damage showed a significant increase from 2 h up to 6 h after reperfusion, and became steady thereafter. As for the mean ratio of the extend of cerebral edema, the control group and reperfusion 0.5 h group were 1.073 and 1.081, respectively ; up to 2 h thereafter, the ratio decreased to 1.01 but increased again with time ; and in reperfusion 12 h and reperfusion 24 h, the ratios were 1.070 and 1.075, respectively, showing similar size with that of control group. As for neurological deficit scores, the score of the control group was 2.67, that of reperfusion 2 h was 2, those of reperfusion 3 h and 6 h groups were 3.2 and 3.8, respectively, and those of reperfusion 12 h and 24 h groups were 4.2 and 4.6, respectively. Thus, as for the test results, the neurological deficit increased with time 2 h after reperfusion, and in reperfusion 12 and 24 h groups, almost all the symptoms appeared. Conclusion : As shown in these results, although the changes in the size of infarction due to reperfusion damage did not increase up to 2 h after reperfusion in the experimental groups compared to the control group, damage increased significantly thereafter up to 6 h, and the size remained about the same from 6 h to 24 h after reperfusion, becoming permanent infarction ; thus, the appropriate time of intervention according to the present study is at least 6 h before after maintaining reperfusion, including the time of cerebral artery occlusion.