• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.310-316
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• 2020

Kyung-Ok-Go (KOK) is a traditional prescription used for debilitating natural aging and post-illness debilitation. KOK has been used in a variety of ways because it strengthens immunity, prevents illness, and helps recovery in case of illness. In particular, recent research has revealed that KOK helps improve memory and cognition. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether KOK was effective in improving memory decline and depression-state observed during menopause. In the present study, we employed ovariectomized mouse as an animal model for measuring menopausal syndrome. The administration of KOK for 8 weeks, the object recognition memory and working memory were improved in novel object recognition test and Y-maze test. And in the forced swimming test, the immobility time were decreased. Additionally, the expression level of mature brain derived neurotropic factor (mBDNF) was increased by KOK administration in ovariectomized mouse hippocampus. These results suggested that KOK could improve cognitive decline and depression during menopausal period, and it might be come from enhancing expression level of mBDNF in hippocampus.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.89-101
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• 2016

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a safe, noninvasive and useful technique for exploring brain function. Especially, for the study of cognition, the technique can modulate a cognitive performance if the targeted area is engaged, because TMS has an effect on cortical network. The effect of TMS can vary depending on the frequency, intensity, and timing of stimulation. In this paper, we review the studies with TMS targeting various regions for evaluation of cognitive function. Cognitive functions, such as attention, working memory, semantic decision, discrimination and social cognition can be improved or deteriorated according to TMS stimulation protocols. Furthermore, potential therapeutic applications of TMS, including therapy in a variety of illness and research into cortical localization, are discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.289-300
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• 2013

The aims of this study are to investigate the differences of the preschoolers' executive function and verbal ability according to their age, and to identify whether the preschoolers' executive function is related to their verbal ability. The participants in this study are 151 children, ages 3-and 5-years old from five child-care centers located in a middle-income region of Seoul. Statistical methods used for the data analysis are the frequencies, means, standard deviations, an independent t-test, and Pearson correlation. The major findings are as follows. First, an age difference is found for children's executive function. The 5-year-olds are more likely to succeed on tasks of executive function than the 3-year-olds. Also, age difference is found for children's verbal ability. The 5-year-olds perform better on tests of verbal ability than the 3-year-olds. Last, the 3-year-olds' and 5-year-olds' executive function is related to their verbal ability. Inhibition and cognitive flexibility are significantly correlated with verbal ability. These results suggest that preschoolers' executive function and verbal ability develop during preschool age. These results also suggest that preschoolers' executive function is related to their verbal ability.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.527-539
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• 2018

Cognitive decline in aging is known to yield detrimental effects in syntactic processing and working memory capacity is the most crucial cognitive function in understanding older adults' sentence processing skills. This study examined how young and older adults utilize contextual information while resolving NP-attached Ps vis word-by-word self-paced reading paradigm. In addition, the study asked which cognitive functions play roles on the use of a NP-supporting context during processing of NP-attached PP. When NP-attached PP was presented in a supporting context, both age groups performed faster than in the null context condition. Among different cognitive functions, alternating attention skills were correlated with the ability utilizing context during syntactic ambiguity resolution and working memory capacity was not found to be crucial for this study. In conclusion, this study suggests that aging does not always affect older adults' syntactic processing negatively and relevant cognitive function may vary depending on the type of syntactic structure.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.278-282
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• 2009

Previous studies indicate that BF-7 enhances learning and memory in normal and elderly individuals. Here, we evaluated whether milk containing BF-7 (BF-7 milk) could improve the brain function, with thirty normal university students $(21{\pm}1.2 years)$. Two versions of the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test were used under double-blinded conditions to measure the efficacy of BF-7 milk on learning and memory, especially working memory and attention, and on mathematical ability. As a result, BF-7 milk improved the accuracy of the task more than 3-fold. Furthermore, BF-7 milk protected cultured neuronal cells from 3-hydroxykynurenine, a normal endogenous brain stress agent. These results indicate that BF-7 milk enhances memory, attention and mathematical ability in normal persons.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2022.05a
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• pp.394-395
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• 2022

Exergames are playing an important role in healthcare/rehabilitation. It has also been used to improve motivation among patients with reduced cognition. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of using augmented reality (AR) with game-based cognitive-motor training programs for executive function, restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs) in children with autism spectrum disorder. Sixteen children aged 6 -16 years were randomly allocated to the experimental group and control group. Outcome measures were performed before and after the intervention and included executive function, restricted and repetitive behavior. A satisfactory survey was conducted post-intervention. A statistically significant improvement was observed in working memory and cognitive flexibility in the experimental group (P<0.05). However, despite no statistical improvements in cognitive inhibition and four subscales of RRBs, promising changes were observed in all the subscales of the executive function and the behavioral outcomes. Parents appreciated the program and children enjoyed the interaction with the AR game-based training. The findings of this preliminary feasibility study showed that AR using Kinect v2 motion with a cognitive-motor game content can be used for children with autism. However, there is a need for conducting a large-scale study to evaluate his effectiveness on executive function and restricted and repetitive behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2011

Objectives The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the severity of white matter changes (WMC), risk factors and cognitive domains, including executive function profiles. Method Forty nine subjects over 55 years with subjective memory complaints were assessed with MRI and neuropsychological tests. The WMC were assessed by MRI T2-FLAIR images and divided into 3 groups of mild vs. moderate vs. severe and 2 groups of mild-moderate vs. severe by using Mantyla's criteria and Fazeka's criteria. The risk factors were examined in hypertension, heart disease history and chemistry Lab. Medical conditions which affect to cognitive dysfunction and definite dementia were also excluded. Results Comparing 3 groups, hypertension was identified as a risk factor of the WMC. Comparing 2 groups, total cholesterol and LDL were identified for as the risk factor of WMC. The severity of WMC was significantly associated with cognitive disturbances and their main effect on cognition was working memory and inhibition. Conclusion The risk factors of the WMC in the elderly were hypertension, hyperlipidemia. The severity of WMC appears to be associated with executive dysfunction in the elderly.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Health Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1426-1435
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• 2020

Objective: This study aims to develop CFT, a screening test for dementia that can be conducted on patients with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. Methods: This study was conducted on therapists working at occupational therapy hospital in Gyeongsangnam-do. The data collection period is two months from July to September 2020, and the research participants were briefed on the purpose, significance, and anonymity of the research in consideration of ethical issues. A total of 33 copies of the data were finally analyzed, excluding those containing insufficient answers and errors, by distributing 40 copies of the data. SPSS Data Access pack 8.0 was used for data analysis, Cronbach's α value was evaluated for internal consistency reliability of each item, and Pearson Correlation coeffient between the lower scales of the assessment tool was measured. Results: The Cronbach's α value of the CFT was shown as .892 and the reliability of the assessment paper was shown to be quite high. The Cronbach's α value for each item in the cognitive assessment tool was the highest at .899 in the subtraction item, with exercise control (mook Chi Pa) at 888, visual memory, plus .887. The correlation of each item of cognitive assessment tools was found to be most correlated with the number of sustained concentrates and word2 to .934; in the stop word-numeric item and visual memory to be .85; and in the addition to the auditory memory item .739. Conclusion: Therefore, this study developed cognitive evaluation tools that can distinguish the diversity and cognitive level of screening tests and clarify standards, which are different from the existing dementia screening tools in Korea. Furthermore, the cognitive assessment tools of this study can be verified by applying them to patients with mild cognitive impairment and early dementia, and the criteria for generalization can be established.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.245-252
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• 2024

Ginseng is a traditional herbal medicine used for prevention and treatment of various diseases as a tonic. Recent scientific cohort studies on life prolongation with ginseng consumption support this record, as those who consumed ginseng for more than 5 years had reduced mortality and cognitive decline compared to those who did not. Clinical studies have also shown that acute or long-term intake of ginseng total extract improves acute working memory performance or cognitive function in healthy individuals and those with subjective memory impairment (SMI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or early Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia who are taking AD medication(s). Ginseng contains various components ranging from classical ginsenosides and polysaccharides to more recently described gintonin. However, it is unclear which ginseng component(s) might be the main candidate that contribute to memory or cognitive improvements or prevent cognitive decline in older individuals. This review describes recent clinical contributors to ginseng components in clinical tests and introduces emerging evidence that ginseng components could be novel candidates for cognitive improvement in older individuals, as ginseng components improve SMI cognition and exhibits add-on effects when coadministered with early AD dementia drugs. The mechanism behind the beneficial effects of ginseng components and how it improves cognition are presented. Additionally, this review shows how ginseng components can contribute to SMI, MCI, or early AD dementia when used as a supplementary food and/or medicine, and proposes a novel combination therapy of current AD medicines with ginseng component(s).