• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 1985

Caudal, rostral and both areas of the nucleus accumbens septi (NAB) were lesioned each in separate animal group by applying DC of 3.0 mA for 15 sec. in order to examine if any regional differences in the NAB with regard to the manifestation of locomotor activity, The r-NAB and cr-NAB-lesioned rats were significantly increased in locomotor activity but not in the c-NAB-lesioned rats and the effect following the NAB lesion was immediately produced and returned to control levels in about 7 days postoperatively. On the other hand, the locomotor stimulation produced by methamphetamine was significantly attenuated in all NAB-lesioned rats but also stereotyped behavior was significantly elicited simultaneously. These results thus suggested that NAB may be attributed to the inhibitory role in the locomotor activity, of which intensity differs from rostral site and caudal site, and stereotyped behavior may be shown higher sensitivity of the denervated striatal dopamine function.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2002

Substantial evidence suggests that behavioral and reinforcing effects of cocaine can be mediated by the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. Injections of cocaine can produce one of the immediate-early gene, c-fos expression in the brain and behavioral activation. Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely used for the treatment of many mental disorders such as drugs of abuse. In order to investigate whether acupuncture has an influence on cocaine-induced reinforcing and behavioral effects, we examined the effect of acupuncture on cocaine-induced locomotor activity and c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens and the striatum using Fos-like-immunoreactivity(FLI). Male SD rats received acupuncture for 1 min after injection of cocaine hydrochloride(1 mg/kg, i.v.). The employed acupuncture point, Shenmen$(HT_7)$, has been clinically used to treat mental and psychosomatic disorders. Injections of cocaine produced a marked increase in locomotor activity and FLI in the nucleus accumbens and the striatum. Acupuncture at $HT_7$, but not at control points($PC_6,\;TE_4$ or tail), significantly attenuated cocaine-induced increase in locomotor activity and Fos-like immunoreactivity. These results demonstrated that reduction in locomotor activity by acupuncture may be reflected by reduction of postsynaptic neuronal activity in the nucleus accumbens and the striatum. Our results suggest that acupuncture may have a therapeutic effect on cocaine addiction.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2023

Background: Synaptic plasticity contributes to nociceptive signal transmission and modulation, with calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) playing a fundamental role in neural plasticity. This research was conducted to investigate the role of CaMK II in the transmission and regulation of nociceptive information within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of naïve and morphine-tolerant rats. Methods: Randall Selitto and hot-plate tests were utilized to measure the hindpaw withdrawal latencies (HWLs) in response to noxious mechanical and thermal stimuli. To induce chronic morphine tolerance, rats received intraperitoneal morphine injection twice per day for seven days. CaMK II expression and activity were assessed using western blotting. Results: Intra-NAc microinjection of autocamtide-2-related inhibitory peptide (AIP) induced an increase in HWLs in naïve rats in response to noxious thermal and mechanical stimuli. Moreover, the expression of the phosphorylated CaMK II (p-CaMK II) was significantly decreased as determined by western blotting. Chronic intraperitoneal injection of morphine resulted in significant morphine tolerance in rats on Day 7, and an increase of p-CaMK II expression in NAc in morphine-tolerant rats was observed. Furthermore, intra-NAc administration of AIP elicited significant antinociceptive responses in morphine-tolerant rats. In addition, compared with naïve rats, AIP induced stronger thermal antinociceptive effects of the same dose in rats exhibiting morphine tolerance. Conclusions: This study shows that CaMK II in the NAc is involved in the transmission and regulation of nociception in naïve and morphine-tolerant rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.767-773
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• 2004

Substantial evidence suggests that repeated injections of nicotine produce increase in locomotor activity and expression of the immediate-early gene, c-fos in the dopaminergic target areas. Herbal medicine as a therapeutic intervention has been widely used for the treatment of mental dysfunction. Many studies have shown that Cortex Phellodendris (CP) can affect the biochemical balance in the central nervous system. In order to investigate whether CP have an influence on their nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization, we examined the effect of CP on nicotine-induced locomotor activity and c-Fos expression in the striatum and nucleus accumbens utilizing the Fos-like immunohistochemistry (FLI). Male SD rats received CP (200㎎/㎏, i.p.) 30 min before repeated daily injections of nicotine (0.4㎎/㎏, s.c.) for 7 days. Rats were followed withdrawal for 3 days and one challenge for 1 day. System challenge with nicotine produced a much larger increase in locomotor activity and accumbal FLI. Pretreatment with CP significanly inhibited nicotine-induced locomotor activity and FLI in the striuatum and nucleus accumbens. These results demonstrated that reduction in locomotor activity by CP may be reflected by reduction of dopamine release and postsynaptic neuronal activity in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. Our results suggest that CP may have therapeutic effect on nicotine addiction. Supported by a fund (99-PJ9-PG1-002-0004).

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.1-12
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• 2005

Objectives : Substantial evidence suggests that reinforcing effects of nicotine can be mediated by the mesolimbic dopaminergic system. It has been shown that repeated injections of nicotine produce an increase in locomotor activity and expression of the immediate-early gene, c-fos, in the dopaminergic target areas. Herbal medicine as a therapeutic intervention has been widely used for the treatment of mental dysfunction. Many studies have shown that Radix Scutellariae (RS) can affect the biochemical balance in the central nervous system. Tn order to investigate whether RS has an influence on nicotine-induced behavioral sensitization, we examined the effect of RS on nicotine-induced locomotor activity and c-fos expression in the striatum and nucleus accumbens utilizing the fos-tike immunohistochemistry (FLI). Methods : Male SD rats received RS (200mg/kg, i.p.) 30min before repeated daily injections of nicotine (0.4mg/kg, s.c.) for 7 days. This was followed by withdrawal for 3 days and one challenge for 1 day. Results : System challenge with nicotine produced a much larger increase in locomotor activity and accumbal FLI. Pretreatment with RS significantly inhibited nicotine-induced locomotor activity and FLI in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that reduction in locomotor activity by RS may be reflected by reduction of dopamine release and postsynaptic neuronal activity in the striatum and nucleus accumbens. Our results suggest that RS may have therapeutic effect on nicotine addiction.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2001.04a
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• pp.121.2-121.2
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• 2001

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.640-651
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• 2022

Clinical studies on neuromodulation intervention for trigeminal neuralgia have not yet shown promising results. This might be due to the fact that the pathophysiology of chronic trigeminal neuropathy is not yet fully understood. Chronic trigeminal neuropathy includes trigeminal autonomic neuropathy, painful trigeminal neuropathy, and persistent idiopathic facial pain. This disorder is caused by complex abnormalities in the pain processing system, which is comprised of the affective, emotional, and sensory components, rather than mere abnormal sensation. Therefore, integrative understanding of the pain system is necessary for appropriate neuromodulation of chronic trigeminal neuropathy. The possible neuromodulation targets that participate in complex pain processing are as follows : the ventral posterior medial nucleus, periaqueductal gray, motor cortex, nucleus accumbens, subthalamic nucleus, globus pallidus internus, anterior cingulate cortex, hypothalamus, sphenopalatine ganglion, and occipital nerve. In conclusion, neuromodulation interventions for trigeminal neuralgia is yet to be elucidated; future advancements in this area are required.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.540-544
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• 2003

Morphine, an analgesic with significant abuse potential, is considered addictive because of drug craving and psychological dependence. It is reported that repeated treatment of morphine can produce conditioned place preference (CPP) showing a reinforcing effect in mice. CPP is a useful method for the screening of morphine-induced psychological dependence. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the methanolic extract of Coptis japonica (MCJ) on morphine-induced CPP in mice. Furthermore, we examined c-fos expression in the parietal cortex, piriform cortex, striatum, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus of the morphine-induced CPP mouse brain. Treatment of MCJ 100 mg/kg inhibited morphine-induced CPP. Expression of c-fos was increased in the cortex, striatum, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus of the morphine-induced CPP mouse brain. These increases of expression were inhibited by treatment with MCJ 100 mg/kg, compared to the morphine control group. Taken together, these results suggest that MCJ inhibits morphine-induced CPP through the regulation of c-fos expression in the mouse brain.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1994.04a
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• pp.231-231
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• 1994

이 연구는 인삼 성분 약물이 도파민 수용체에 미치는 영향을 연구하기 위한 첫 단계로써 그 기본적인 assay system을 정착 시키기 위함이 목적이었다. 우리는 이 연구를 수행하기 위하여 생후 2-4 일의 쥐를 사용하여 흑질, 선조체, 해마구, nucleus accumbens등의 뇌 부위에서 신경세포 배양을 시도하였다. 흑질로 부터 배양한 신경세포들의 경우엔 면역 세포학적방법을 써서 살펴본 결과 대부분의 신경이 도파민성 신경이나 GABA성 신경들 이었다. 또한 이들 세포들의 전기 생리학적 상태를 알아보기 위하여 흑질에서 신호 전달체계가 잘 확립된 GABA 수용체의 작용을 살펴 본 결과 이 신경세포들은 GABA-A 및 GABA-B 수용체의 발현은 물론 이온 채널에 미치는 신호 전달체계를 완전히 갖추고 있었다. 도파민 수용체의 작용을 전기 생리학적으로 연구하기 위하여 배양한 신경세포에 도파민agonist를 가해서 이온 채널에 미치는 효과를 살펴 보았다. 선조체에서 배양한 신경세포들은 Dl 과 D2 agonist에 대해서 상반되는 반응을 나타냈다. 즉 Dl agonist는 선조체 신경세포를 활성화 시켰으나 D2 agonist는 선조체 신경세포들을 억제 하였다. 한편 해마구의 CAI 과 CA3 부위로 부터 배양한 신경세포에 대한 도파민 agonists의 작용은 선조체의 신경세포에 대한도파민 agonists의 작용과는 상반되는 반응 이었다. Dl agonist는 해마구로 부터 배양한 신경세포의 활성을 억제 하였으나 D2 agonist는 이들 신경세포들의 활성을 증가 시켰다. Nucleus accumbens 에서 배양한 신경세포들은 도파민에 의해서 그 활성이 억제 되었다. 이러한 결과로 미루어 봐서 같은 도파민 수용체라도 분포되어 있는 조직에 따라서 신호전달 에 관여 하고 있는 C-단백이나 이차 전령물질이 달라서 신경세포에 대한 작용이 다르든지. 약리학적으로는 구분되지 않으나 뇌의 조직에 따라서 분포가 다른 도파민 수용체의 아그룹이 존재 한다고 생각된다.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 2012

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Rehmannia glutinosa on phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK) and cAMP response element-binding protein(CREB) in the acute cocaine-treated rats. Rats orally received vehicle or extract of Rehmannia glutinosa 1 h prior to saline (1 ml/kg, i.p.) or cocaine hydrochloride (20 mg/kg, i.p.) treatment. Rats were sacrificed 15 min after a single intraperitoneal injection of saline or cocaine. Rehmannia glutinosa at dose of 50 mg/kg significantly decreased phosphorylation of ERK, CREB and Elk-1 in the nucleus accumbens and striatum of the cocaine-treated rat brain by immunocytochemistry. These results suggest that Rehmannia glutinosa may contribute to the effects of cocaine on gene expression and on behaviors.