• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.395-405
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• 2014

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate 1) somatotopic arrangement of the second and third fingers in SI area 2) difference of neural activation in the SI area produced by stimulation with different frequencies 3) correlation between the intensity of tactile perception by different stimulus intensity and the level of brain activation measurable by means of fMRI. Background: Somatosensory cortex can obtain the information of environmental stimuli about "where" (e.g., on the left palm), "what" (e.g., a book or a dog), and "how" (e.g., scrub gently or scrub roughly) to organism. However, compared to visual sense, the neural mechanism underlying the processing of specific electrotactile stimulus is still unknown. Method: 10 right-handed subjects participated in this study. Non-painful electrotactile stimuli were delivered to two different finger tips of right hand. Functional brain images were collected from 3.0T MRI using the single-shot EPI method. The scanning parameters were as follows: TR and TE were 3000, 35ms, respectively, flip angle 60, FOV $24{\times}24cm$, matrix size $64{\times}64$, slice thickness 4mm (no gap). SPM5 was used to analyze the fMRI data. Results: Significant activations produced by the stimulation were found in the SI, SII, the subcentral gyrus, the precentral gyrus, and the insula. In all participants, statistically significant activation was observed in the contralateral SI area and the bilateral SII areas by the stimulation on the fingers but ipsilaterally dominant. The SI area representing the second finger generally located in the more lateral and inferior side than that of the third finger across all the subjects. But no difference in brain area was found for the stimulation of the fingers by different frequencies. And two typical patterns were observed on the relationship between the perceived psychological intensity and the amount of voxels in the primary sensory cortex during the stimulation. Conclusion: It was possible to discriminate the representation sites in the SI by electrotactile stimulation of digit2 and digit3. But we could not find the differences of the brain areas according to different stimulation frequencies from 3 to 300Hz. Application: The results of the study can provide a deeper understanding of somatosensory cortex and offer the information for tactile display for blinds.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.415-422
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• 2005

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the differences of nonlinear characteristics of electroencephalogram (EEG) depending on different sensitivities of behavioral activation system (BAS) and behavioral inhibition system (BIS) of young and elderly groups. The EEGs from Fpl and Fp2 electrodes were recorded during resting condition. The young and elderly groups consisted of 19 and 31 healthy right-handed volunteers, respectively. We estimated 1/f scaling exponent which reflects the nonlinear dynamical complexity of EEG. As results, we found the differences of 1/f scaling exponent between young ant elderly BAS sensitive groups. The 1/f scaling exponent of young BAS sensitive group showed significantly higher values than those of elderly BAS sensitive group at the left prefrontal area (Fpl). The young BAS sensitive group had also a tendency to higher 1/f scaling exponent at the right prefrontal area (Fp2). Decrease of the 1/f scaling exponent indicates the increase of complexity and the decrease of the amount of information related to the statistical distribution. Therefore, the elderly BAS sensitive group has higher complexity than young BAS sensitive group, though they were all classified as BAS sensitive group by BAS/BIS scale. Our results suggest the possibility of correlation between BAS sensitivity an4 age.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2004

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to assess supplementary motor area (SMA) activation during motor, sensory, word generation, listening comprehension, and working memory tasks using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Materials and Methods : Sixteen healthy right-handed subjects (9M, 7F) were imaged on a Siemens 1.5T scanner. Whole brain functional maps were acquired using BOLD EPI sequences in the axial plane. Each paradigm consisted of five epochs of activation vs. the control condition. The activation tasks consisted of left finger complex movement, hot sensory stimulation of the left hand, word generation, listening comprehension, and working memory. The reference function was a boxcar waveform. Activation maps were thresholded at an uncorrected p=0.0001. The thresholded activation maps were placed into MNI space and the anatomic localization of activation within the SMA was compared across tasks. Results : SMA activation was observed in 16 volunteers for the motor task, 11 for the sensory task, 15 for the word generation task, 5 for the listening comprehension task, and 15 for the working memory task. The rostral aspects of the SMA showed activity during the word generation and working memory tasks, and the caudal aspects of the SMA showed activity during the motor and sensory tasks. Right (contralateral) SMA activation was observed during the motor and sensory tasks, and left SMA activation during the word generation and memory tasks. Conclusion : Our results suggest that SMA is involved in a variety of functional tasks including motor, sensory, word generation, and working memory. The results obtained also support the notion that functionally specific subregions exist within the region classically defined as the SMA.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.545-551
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• 2013

This study aimed to compare the effects of microcurrent stimulation and rest on the fatigue index by applying both to subjects who had accumulated fatigue after performing short-duration physical activity. The experiment was performed at S University from December 2012 to February 2013, on 22 healthy men in their 20s, who were right-handed, and without peripheral or musculoskeletal diseases. All subjects lifted a 10-kg box lift and lower 100 times in 15 minutes. Immediately after that, muscle fatigue index (Median Frequency: MF) and blood fatigue index (Creatine Kinase Lactate: CK, Lactate Dehydrogenase: LDH) were measured by using surface electromyography. The subjects were divided into two groups, and microcurrent stimulation and rest were mediated to the experimental and control groups, respectively, for 20 minutes. After intervention, muscle fatigue index and blood fatigue index were measured and the changes in the accumulated fatigue index were compared. Both groups manifested significantly decreased cumulative fatigue after applying the mediation compared to the pre-intervention level (p < .05), the only exception being the fatigue index of the left erector spinae in the rest group. Compared to the rest group, the microcurrent stimulation group showed a significant decrease in muscle fatigue index (p < .05) but no significant differences were found in the blood fatigue index. Given the results of this study, microcurrent stimulation is considered to be helpful in muscle fatigue recovery for workers who have to perform repetitive movements lifting weights, and additional studies on the correlations of the fatigue recovery with respect to the long-term follow-up of fatigue index and mediation time are necessary.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.231-239
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• 2013

Purpose: To design and fabricate the auto pattern maker for the development. Methods: we got the necessary data, needed in design, by using CAD. Based on the these data, we fabricated the trial product for the development of the auto pattern maker. Results: The auto pattern maker were composed with combinations of many elements; pattern making assembly, control panel, frame attachment and prober unit. The pattern making assembly was comprised of the cutter, the pattern holder, pattern remover and silence cover which could minimize the sound during the cutting process. The control panel was designed to be connected and operated with the main printed circuit board. The prober could get the eye shape data by scanning of 1.8 degrees around the groove of the frame through the encoding data according to the address. After starting, scanning was carried out in two passes, i.e. one right-handed and one left-handed. Communication connector could send the eye shape data from auto pattern maker to outer system with the RS232C transmission system. By using the one-way analysis of variance, we got the error rate of cut pattern size for ${\Phi}22mm$, ${\Phi}55mm$ and ${\Phi}62mm$. Because F-value was 0.510 and p-value was 0.601, no statistically significant differences were found. Also, the mean cutting error of the auto pattern maker was 0.0274 mm. Conclusions: we could succeed in making the trial product by applying it to the development of the auto pattern maker. The role of this auto pattern maker is to find a exact required size of lens to fit the frame by measuring the frame. The acquired data are transferred to outer system for grinding and finishing with patternless process. Also, the trial product can produce pattern to fit the frame. Therefore, it was confidently expected that the optometrists could handily produce pattern to fit the frame with this trial product and dispense the ophthalmic lens because of its efficiency and convenience compared to the past.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.16-23
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• 2005

Purpose : In order to investigate the functional brain anatomy associated with mental calculation, functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed. Materials and Methods : In six normal right handed subjects, functional MR images were obtained using a 1.57 MR scanner and the EPI BOLD technique. The study included experiment I and experiment II. Each experiment consisted of five resting and four activation periods with each period of 30 seconds. During the activation period of both experiment I and II, calculation equations[an example: $(4+5)\times8=72$] were presented and the subjects were instructed to decide true or false of them. During the resting period of experiment I, the subjects were instructed to visually fixate on a crosshair. During the resting period of experiment II, two diagrams (an example: $(\bullet,\;\blacksquare)$)were presented and the subjects were instructed to decide they are same or not. For the post-processing of images, the SPM program was used, with the threshold of significance set at p<0.00001. The activated areas during the tasks were assessed. Results : In experiment 1, the inferior frontal gyrus, prefrontal cortex, promoter area, supplementary motor area, and intraparietal sulcus including superior parietal cortex were activated bilaterally. Although these areas were also activated in experiment II, the activated signals in the right frontal and parietal lobes were lessened. Conclusion : The left inferior frontal gyrus and prefrontal cortex and bilateral intraparietal sulci were activated during mental calculation. The right frontal and parietal lobes might be related to attention and decision making.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 2009

Purpose : Although it's been known for half a century that unique structures have evolved in the cerebellum and they then became greatly enlarged in the human brain, the function of these structures still remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess cerebellar activation during motor, sensory, word generation, listening comprehension, and working memory tasks with using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Materials and Methods : Eleven healthy right-handed subjects (Male: female, 6:5, mean age: 27.4years) were imaged on a Siemens 1.5T scanner. Whole brain functional maps were acquired using BOLD EPI sequences in the axial plane. Each paradigm consisted of five epochs of activation vs. the control condition. The activation tasks consisted of left finger complex movement, sensory stimulation of the left hand, word generation, listening comprehension, and working memory tasks. The reference function was a boxcar waveform. The activation maps were thresholded at p = 0.001. SPM 5 evaluated the activated areas and responses within the cerebellum. Results : Cerebellar activation was observed on motor task, word generation task, and working memory task. There were 949 activated areas and the mean fitted and adjusted response was 0.68 during the motor task. There were 319 activated areas and the mean fitted and adjusted response was 0.15 during the word generation task. There were 330 activated areas and the mean fitted and adjusted response was 0.26 during the working memory task. Conclusion : Our results suggest that the cerebellum is involved in a variety of functional tasks, including motor, word generation, and working memory tasks. However, during the motor task, the cerebellum showed a large activated area and a high response. Cerebellar function can be evaluated by fMRI.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2005

Purpose : This study attempted to investigate the effects of supply of highly concentrated $(30\%)$ oxygen on human ability of visuospatial cognition using time course data analysis of functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). Materials and Methods : To select an item set in the visuospatial performance test, two questionnaires with similar difficulty were developed through group testing. A group test was administered to 263 college students. Two types of questionnaire containing 20 questions were developed to measure the ability of visuospatial cognition. Eight college students (right-handed male, average age of 23.5 yrs) were examined for fMRI study. The experiment consisted of two runs of the visuospatial cognition testing, one with $21\%$ level of oxygen and the other with $30\%$ oxygen level. Each run consisted of 4 blocks, each containing control and visuospatial items. Functional brain images were taken from 37 MRI using the single-shot EPI method. Using the subtraction procedure, activated areas in the brain during visuospatial tasks were color-coded by t-score. To investigate the time course data in each activated area from brain images, 4 typical regions (cerebellum, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, and frontal lobe) were selected. Results : The average accuracy was $50.63{\pm}8.63$ and $62.50{\pm}9.64$ for $21\%\;and\;30\%$ oxygen respectively, and a statistically significant difference was found in the accuracy between the two types of oxygen (p<0.05). There were more activation areas observed at the cerebellum, occipital lobe, parietal lobe and frontal lobe with $30\%$ oxygen administration. The rate of increase in the cerebellum, occipital lobe and parietal lobe was $17\%$ and that of the frontal lobe, $50\%$. Especially, there were increase of intensity of BOLD signal at the parietal lobe with $30\%$ oxygen administration. The increase rate of the left parietal lobe was $1.4\%$ and that of the right parietal lobe, $1.7\%$. Conclusion : It is concluded that while performing visuospatial tasks, high concentrations of oxygen administration make oxygen administration sufficient, thus making neural network activate more, and the ability to perform visuospatial tasks increase.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2005

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to observe the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast changes due to the reaction of human brain at a gustatory sense in response to a salty-taste stimulation. Materials and Methods : Twelve healthy, non-smoking, right-handed male subjects (mean age: 25.6, range: 23-28 years) participated in this salty-taste stimulus functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) study. MRI scans were performed with 1.57 GE Signa, using a multi-slice GE-EPI sequence according to a blood-oxy-gen-level dependent (BOLD) experiment paradigm. Scan parameters included matrix size $128\times128$, FOV 250 mm, TR 5000 msec, TE 60 msec, TH/GAP 5/2 mm. Sequential data acquisitions were carried out for 42 measurements with a repetition time of 5 sec for each taste-stimulus experiments. Analysis of fMRI data was carried out using SPM99 implemented in Matlab. NaCl solution $(3\%)$ was used as a salty stimulus. The task paradigm consisted of alternating rest-stimulus cycles (30-second rest, 15-second stimulus) for 210 seconds. During the stimulus period, NaCl-solution was presented to the subject's mouth through plastic tubes as a bolus of delivered every 5 sec using -processor controlled auto-syringe pump. Results : Insula, frontal opercular taste cortex, amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) were activated by a salty-taste stimulation $(NaCl,\;3\%)$ in the fMRI experiments. And dosolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) was also significantly responded to salty-taste stimuli. Activation areas of the right side hemisphere were more superior to the left side hemisphere. Conclusion : The results of this study well correspond to the fact that both insula, amygdala, OFC, DLPFC areas are established as taste cortical areas by neuronal recordings in primates. Authors found that laboratory-developed auto-syringe pump is suitable for gustatory fMRI study. Further research in this field will accelerate to inquire into the mechanism of higher order gustatory process.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.225-237
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• 1998

Purpose: We investigated the statistical methods to compose the functional brain map of human working memory and the principal factors that have an effect on the methods for localization. Materials and Methods: Repeated PET scans with successive four tasks, which consist of one control and three different activation tasks, were performed on six right-handed normal volunteers for 2 minutes after bolus injections of 925 MBq $H_2^{15}O$ at the intervals of 30 minutes. Image data were analyzed using SPM96 (Statistical Parametric Mapping) implemented with Matlab (Mathworks Inc., U.S.A.). Images from the same subject were spatially registered and were normalized using linear and nonlinear transformation methods. Significant difference between control and each activation state was estimated at every voxel based on the general linear model. Differences of global counts were removed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with global activity as covariate. Using the mean and variance for each condition which was adjusted using ANCOVA, t-statistics was performed on every voxel To interpret the results more easily, t-values were transformed to the standard Gaussian distribution (Z-score). Results: All the subjects carried out the activation and control tests successfully. Average rate of correct answers was 95%. The numbers of activated blobs were 4 for verbal memory I, 9 for verbal memory II, 9 for visual memory, and 6 for conjunctive activation of these three tasks. The verbal working memory activates predominantly left-sided structures, and the visual memory activates the right hemisphere. Conclusion: We conclude that rCBF PET imaging and statistical parametric mapping method were useful in the localization of the brain regions for verbal and visual working memory.