• Journal of Genetic Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.22-37
• /
• 2007

The autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of neurodegenerative diseases, clinically and genetically heterogeneous, characterized by degeneration of spinocerebellar pathways with variable involvement of other neural systems. At present, 27 distinct genetic forms of SCAs are known: SCA1-8, SCA10-21, SCA23, SCA25-28, DRPLA (dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy), and 16q-liked ADCA (autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia). Epidemiological data about the prevalence of SCAs are restricted to a few studies of isolated geographical regions, and most do not reflect the real occurrence of the disease. In general a prevalence of about 0.3-2 cases per 100,000 people is assumed. As SCA are highly heterogeneous, the prevalence of specific subtypes varies between different ethnic and continental populations. Most recent data suggest that SCA3 is the commonest subtype worldwide; SCA1, SCA2, SCA6, SCA7, and SCA8 have a prevalence of over 2%, and the remaining SCAs are thought to be rare (prevalence <1%). In this review, we highlight and discuss the SCA7. The hallmark of SCA7 is the association of hereditary ataxia and visual loss caused by pigmentary macular degeneration. Visual failure is progressive, bilateral and symmetrical, and leads irreversibly to blindness. This association represents a distinct disease entity classified as autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) type II by Harding. The disease affectsprimarily the cerebellum and the retina by the moderate to severe neuronal loss and gliosis, but also many other central nervous system structures as the disease progresses. SCA7 is caused by expansion of an unstable trinucleotide CAG repeat in the ATXN7 gene encoding a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in the corresponding protein, ataxin-7. Normal ATXN7 alleles contain 4-35 CAG repeats, whereas pathological alleles contain from 36->450 CAG repeats. Immunoblott analysis demonstrated that ataxin-7 is widely expressed but that expression levels vary among tissues. Instability of expanded repeats is more pronounced in SCA7 than in other SCA subtypes and can cause substantial lowering of age at onset in successive generations termed ‘anticipation’ so that children may become diseased even before their parents develop symptoms. The strong anticipation in SCA7 and the rarity of contractions should have led to its extinction within a few generations. There is no specific drug therapy for this neurodegenerative disorder. Currently, therapy remains purely symptomatic. Cellular models and SCA7 transgenic mice have been generated which constitute valuable resources for studying the disease mechanism. Understanding the pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodegeneration in SCAs should lead to the identification of potential therapeutic targets and ultimately facilitate drug discovery. Here we summarize the clinical, pathological, and genetic aspects of SCA7, and review the current understanding of the pathogenesis of this disorder. Further, we also review the potential therapeutic strategies that are currently being explored in polyglutamine diseases.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.215-220
• /
• 2005

Objective : Many researchers believe that the hypothermia shows neuro-protective effect on brain injury. To understand the molecular mechanism of the hypothermic treatment, this study investigated its effects on the expression of cell death or survival related proteins such as p53, Bcl-2 and Bax in the rat traumatic brain injury[TBI] model. Methods : Twenty rats [Spraque Dawley, $200{\sim}250g$] were subjected to the brain injury of moderate severity [$2.4{\sim}2.6atm$] using the fluid percussion injury device and five rats were received only same surgery as controls. During 30minutes after the brain injury, the hypothermia group was maintained the body temperature around $34^{\circ}C$ while the control group were maintained that of $36^{\circ}C$. Five rats in each group were sacrificed 12h or 24h after brain injury and their brain sections was analyzed for physical damages by H-E stains and the extent of apoptosis by TUNEL assay and immunohistochemical stains. The tissue damage after TBI was mainly observed in the ipsilateral cortex and partly in the hippocampus. Results : Apoptosis was observed by TUNEL assay and the Bax protein was detected in both sample which harvested 12h and 24h after TBI. In the hypothermia treatment group, tissue damage and apoptosis were reduced in HE stains and TUNEL assay. In hypothermia treatment group rat shows more expression of the Bcl-2 protein and shows less expression of the Bax protein, at both 12h and 24h after TBI. Conclusion : These results show that the hypothermia treatment is an effective treatment after TBI, by reducing the apoptotic process. Therefore, it could be suggested that hypothermia has a high therapeutic value for treating tissue damages after TBI.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.461-470
• /
• 2000

Objective : Many investigators have demonstrated the protective effects of hypothermia following traumatic brain injury(TBI) in both animals and humans. It has long been recognized that mild to moderate hypothermia improves neurologic outcomes as well as reduces histologic and biochemical sequelae after TBI. In this study, two immunohistochemical staining using terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated biotin dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL), staining of apoptosis, and ${\beta}$-amyloid precursor protein(${\beta}$-APP), a marker of axonal injury, were done and the authors evaluated the protective effects of hypothermia on axonal and neuronal injury after TBI in rats. Material and Method : The animals were prepared for the delivery of impact-acceleration brain injury as described by Marmarou and colleagues. TBI is achieved by allowing of a weight drop of 450gm, 1 m height to fall onto a metallic disc fixed on the intact skull of the rats. Fourty Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 400 to 450g were subjected to experimental TBI induced by an impact-acceleration device. Twenty rats were subjected to hypothermia after injury, with their rectal temperatures maintained at $32^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. After this 1-hour period of hypothermia, rewarming to normothermic levels was accomplished over 30-minute period. Following 12 hours, 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks later the animals were killed and semiserial sagittal sections of the brain were reacted for visualization of the apoptosis and ${\beta}$-APP. Results : The density of ${\beta}$-APP marked damaged axons within the corticospinal tract at the pontomedullary junction and apoptotic cells at the contused cerebral cortex were calculated for each animal. In comparison with the untreated controls, a significant reduction in ${\beta}$-APP marked damaged axonal density and apoptotic cells were found in all hypothermic animals(p<0.05). Conclusion : This study shows that the posttraumatic hypothermia result in substantial protection in TBI, at least in terms of the injured axons and neurons.

• Polymer(Korea)
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.118-123
• /
• 2009

Keratin contains regulatory molecules that can enhance neuronal cell activity. We fabricated keratin/ PLGA films using 0, 10, 20, and 50 wt% of keratin using solvent casting method. We measured the contact angle of each film and cell proliferation was assayed by counting the cells attached on the film. Adhered cell morphology was confirmed by scanning electron microscope. RT-PCR was conducted to evaluate the gene expression of NF, NSE, and S-100, the Schwann cell markers. The keratin content of 20 and 50 wt% provided higher wettability than PLGA. The 20 wt% keratin was better in cell adhesion and proliferation of SCs than other keratin/PLGA films. The phenotypic stability of SC was maintained with the keratin content of 10 and 20 wt%.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.145-178
• /
• 2020

This paper examines discussions surrounding cognitive liberty, neuro-privacy, and mental integrity from the perspective of Neuro-rights. The right to control one's neurological data entails self-determination of collection and usage of one's data, and the right to object to any way such data may be employed to negatively impact oneself. As innovations in neurotechnologies bear benefits and downsides, a novel concept of the neuro-rights has been suggested to protect individual liberty and rights. In Oct. 2020, the Chilean Senate presented the 'Proyecto de ley sobre neuroderechos' to promote the recognition and protection of neuro-rights. This new bill defines all data obtained from the brain as neuronal data and outlaws the commerce of this data. Neurotechnology, especially when paired with big data and artificial intelligence, has the potential to turn one's neurological state into data. The possibility of inferring one's intent, preferences, personality, memory, emotions, and so on, poses harm to individual liberty and rights. However, the collection and use of neural data may outpace legislative innovation in the near future. Legal protection of neural data and the rights of its subject must be established in a comprehensive way, to adapt to the evolving data economy and technical environment.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.715-721
• /
• 2021

Cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease are serious social problems associated with the rising elderly population in Korea. 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-β-ᴅ-glucopyranose (PGG) is a gallotannin isolated from medicinal plants such as Rhus chinensis. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of PGG on biomarkers related to cognitive function in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity is considered to be one of the main therapeutic strategies. PGG inhibited AChE activity in the test tube as well as in SK-N-SH cells. In addition, PGG induced protein and mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a mammalian neurotrophin that plays major roles in the development, maintenance, repair, and survival of neuronal populations. As one of the underlying molecular mechanisms that induce BDNF expression, PGG induced the activation of Ca²⁺/calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)-cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) pathway. In conclusion, PGG may be an useful material for improving cognitive function.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.327-335
• /
• 2019

As the elderly population is increasing, Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become a global issue and many clinical trials have been conducted to evaluate treatments for AD. As these clinical trials have been conducted and have failed, the development of new theraphies for AD with fewer adverse effects remains a challenge. In this study, we examined the effects of Theracurmin on cognitive decline using 5XFAD mice, an AD mouse model. Theracurmin is more bioavailable form of curcumin, generated with submicron colloidal dispersion. Mice were treated with Theracurmin (100, 300 and 1,000 mg/kg) for 12 weeks and were subjected to the novel object recognition test and the Barnes maze test. Theracurmin-treated mice showed significant amelioration in recognition and spatial memories compared those of the vehicle-treated controls. In addition, the antioxidant activities of Theracurmin were investigated by measuring the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels. The increased MDA level and decreased SOD and GSH levels in the vehicle-treated 5XFAD mice were significantly reversed by the administration of Theracurmin. Moreover, we observed that Theracurmin administration elevated the expression levels of synaptic components, including synaptophysin and post synaptic density protein 95, and decreased the expression levels of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), a marker of activated microglia. These results suggest that Theracurmin ameliorates cognitive function by increasing the expression of synaptic components and by preventing neuronal cell damage from oxidative stress or from the activation of microglia. Thus, Theracurmin would be useful for treating the cognitive dysfunctions observed in AD.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.11
• /
• pp.1332-1338
• /
• 2018

Activated microglia, induced by various pathogens, protect neurons and maintain homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS). However, severe activation causes neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease because of the secretion of various neurotoxic molecules, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG), and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Because chronic microglial activation endangers neuronal survival, negative regulators of microglial activation have been identified as potential therapeutic candidates for treatment of many neurological diseases. One potential source of these regulators is Locusta migratoria, a grasshopper of the Acrididae, usually 4-6 cm in size, belonging to the family of large insects in Acrididae. This grasshopper is an edible insect resource that can be consumed by humans as protein source or used for animal feed. The aim of the present study was to examine the inhibitory effects of a L. migratoria ethanol extract (LME) on the production of inflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia cells. The extract significantly inhibited the NO, iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokine ($TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$) levels in BV-2 microglia cell. Because the inhibition of microglial activation may be an effective solution for treating brain disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, these results suggest that LME may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of brain disorders induced by neuroinflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.11
• /
• pp.1386-1395
• /
• 2018

Over recent years, it has become evident that the central nervous system bidirectionally interacts with the gastrointestinal tract along the gut-brain axis. A series of preclinical studies indicate that the gut microbiota can modulate central nervous system function through a multitude of physiological functions. Polyphenols are ubiquitous plant chemicals included in foods such as fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee and wine, and their consumption is directly responsible for beneficial health effects due to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, anticancer, vasodilating, and prebiotic-like effects. There is increasing evidence that dietary polyphenol can contribute to beneficial effects in neuronal protection acting against oxidative stress and inflammatory injury as well as in cognitive functions. In this paper, we overview the neuroprotective role of dietary polyphenols especially focusing on the neuroinflammation and neurovascular function by interaction with the gut microbiome. Polyphenol metabolites could directly act as neurotransmitters crossing the blood-brain barrier and modulating the cerebrovascular system or indirectly modulating gut microbiota. In addition, evidence suggests that dietary polyphenols are effective in preventing and managing neurological disorders, such as age-related cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, through a multitude of physiological functions. Dietary polyphenols are increasingly envisaged as a potential nutraceuticals in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders, because they possess the ability to reduce neuroinflammation, to improve memory and cognitive function and to modulate the gut microbiota.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.28 no.12
• /
• pp.1397-1405
• /
• 2018

Mitochondria have multiple functions in cells: providing chemical energy, storing cellular $Ca^{2+}$, generating reactive oxygen species, and regulating apoptosis. Through these functions, mitochondria are also involved in the maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation of stem/progenitor cells. In the brain, the subventricular zone (SVZ) is one of the neurogenic regions that contains neural stem cells (NSCs) throughout a lifetime. However, reports on the role of mitochondria in SVZ NSCs are scarce. Here, we show that rotenone, a complex I inhibitor of mitochondria, inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of SVZ NSCs in different ways. In proliferating NSCs, rotenone decreases mitosis as measured through phosphorylated histone H3 detection; moreover, apoptosis is not induced by rotenone at 50 nM. In differentiating NSCs, rotenone blocks neurogenesis and oligodendrogenesis while glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive astrocytes are not affected. Interestingly, in this study there were more cells in the differentiating NSCs treated with rotenone for 4-6 days than in the vehicle control group which was a different effect from the reduced number of cells in the proliferating NSCs. We examined both apoptosis and mitosis and found that rotenone decreased apoptosis as detected by staining cleaved caspase-3 but did not affect mitosis. Our results suggest that functional mitochondria are necessary in both the proliferation and differentiation of SVZ NSCs. Furthermore, mitochondria might be involved in the mitosis and apoptosis that occur during those processes.