• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.235-243
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• 2017

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of the children of psychiatric patients in order to plan for the resources that may be necessary to help these children achieve their full potential. Methods: Forty-eight children (age 9-18) whose parents were registered in 5 community mental health centers located in Seoul were recruited. Tests assessing 3 psychological domains were conducted: 1) cognition: Korean version of Learning Disability Evaluation Scale, Comprehensive Attention Test, 2) parent reported emotion and behavior: Korean Child Behavior Checklist, Korean attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder Rating Scale, and 3) self-reported emotion and behavior: Korean Beck's Depression Inventory-II/Children's Depression Inventory-II, Korean Youth Self Report). We defined the children as having a high risk of developing mental health problems if their test scores were over the cut-off levels in 2 or more of the 3 domains assessed. Results: Twelve (25%) children were classified as having a high risk of developing mental health issues. 20 (41.6%) children scored above the cut-off in only one of the domains. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the children of psychiatric patients might be vulnerable to mental illness and need early prevention or interven-tions for the sake of their mental health.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.343-350
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• 2008

Oroxylin A is a flavonoid isolated from Scutellaria baicalensis, which is one of the most important medicinal herbs in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, we investigated the psychopharmacological activities of oroxylin A using the open field, rota-rod, balanced wire and plus-maze tests in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats (SHR) and Wistar Kyoto Rats (WKY). Oroxylin A reduced hyperactivity in SHR (ADHD animal model) although it tended to increase locomotor activity in WKY. Methylphenidate did not reduce hyperactivity. Oroxylin A alleviated impulsive behaviors such as rearing, the percentage of moving time to the central area and the tendency to move into an unstable condition (open area in elevated plus-maze). Methylphenidate also reduced the percentage of staying time in the central area and the tendency to move into an unstable condition. Both oroxylin A and methylphenidate enhanced motor attention in SHR and WKY. Oroxylin A antagonized the muscimol ($GABA_A$ receptor agonist)-induced $Cl^-$current and its action was similar to that of bicuculline ($GABA_A$ receptor antagonist). The effects of oroxylin A may be caused by the antagonism at the $GABA_A$ receptor. Thus, oroxylin A may be a candidate of drug for treatment of ADHD.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.219-225
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• 2020

Background: There is increasing concern that moderate preterm (32-33 weeks' gestation) and late preterm (34-36 weeks' gestation) birth may be associated with minor neurodevelopmental problems affecting poor school performance. Purpose: We explored the cognitive function, cognitive visual function, executive function, and behavioral problems at school age in moderate to late preterm infants. Methods: Children aged 7-10 years who were born at 32⁺⁰ to 36⁺⁶ weeks of gestation and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit from August 2006 to July 2011 at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital were included. We excluded children with severe neurologic impairments, congenital malformations, or chromosomal abnormalities. Neuropsychological assessments consisted of 5 neuropsychological tests and 3 questionnaires. Results: A total of 37 children (mean age, 9.1±1.2 years) participated. The mean gestational age at birth was 34.6±7.5 weeks, while the mean birth weight was 2,229.2±472.8 g. The mean full-scale intelligence quotient was 92.89±11.90; 24.3% scored between 70 and 85 (borderline intelligence functioning). An abnormal score was noted for at least one of the variables on the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnostic system for 65% of the children. Scores below borderline function for executive quotient and memory quotient were 32.4% and 24.3%, respectively. Borderline or clinically relevant internalizing problems were noted in 13.5% on the Child Behavior Check List. There were no significant associations between perinatal factors or socioeconomic status and cognitive, visual perception, executive function, or behavior outcomes. Conclusion: Moderate to late preterm infants are at risk of developing borderline intelligence functioning and attention problems at early school age. Cognitive and executive functions that are important for academic performance must be carefully monitored and continuously followed up in moderate to late preterm infants.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.13-26
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• 2007

Background: Neurofeedback is an electroencephalographic biofeedback technique for training individuals to alter their brain activity via operant conditioning. Also neurofeedback is a form of behavioural training aimed at developing skills for brain activity. Within the past decade, several neurofeedback studies have been published that tend to overcome the methodological shortcomings of earlier studies. This research describes the methodical basis of neurofeedback and reviews the evidence base for its clinical efficacy and effectiveness in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: In neurofeedback training, self-regulation of specific aspects of electrical brain activity is acquired by means of immediate feedback and positive reinforcement. In frequency training, activity in different EEG frequency bands has to be decreased or increased. Slow cortical potentials (SCPs) training is focused on the regulation of cortical excitability. Results: Neurofeedback studies revealed training-specific effects on, for example, attention and memory processes and performance improvements in real-life conditions, in healthy subjects as well as in patients. In several studies it was shown that ADHD symptomatology was reduced after frequency training or SCP(Slow cortical potentials) training. Moreover a decrease of impulsivity errors and an increase of the contingent negative variation. Conclusions: This research provides evidence for both positive behavioural and specific neurophysiological effects of neurofeedback training. Also there is growing evidence for neurofeedback as a valuable module in neuropsychiatric disorders. Further, controlled studies are warranted.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.194-200
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• 2022

Background: Injury is the leading cause of death or disability in children and adolescents. Rates of deaths from injuries have recently declined, but studies of the occurrence of nonfatal injuries are lacking. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate nonfatal injuries in children and adolescents younger than 20 years based on data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey, 2007-2018. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine whether children and adolescents had experienced an injury requiring a hospital visit in the previous year. We investigated each injury's risk factors and characteristics. Results: Of a total of 21,598 children and adolescents, 1,748 (weighted percentage, 8.1%) experienced one or more injuries in the previous year. There was no yearly difference in the proportion of injuries experienced. Among the male subjects, 10.0% had an injury experience; among the female participants, 6.1% had an injury experience (P<0.001). The highest rate was 9.0% in children aged 1-4 years. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, male sex; having an urban residence; having restricted activity due to visual, hearing, or developmental impairment; and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder were significant risk factors for injury experience. The characteristics of up to 3 injuries per patient were investigated, and 1,951 injuries were analyzed. Falls and slips accounted for 34.9%, collisions for 34.1%, and motor vehicle accidents for 11.3% of the total injuries. Ninety-six percent of injuries were unintentional, 20% caused school absences, and 10% required hospitalization. Conclusion: Among Korean children and adolescents, 8.1% experienced injuries at least once a year with no significant differences in incidence over the past 12 years. Greater attention and effort to prevent injuries are needed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.127-132
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• 2019

This study examined the change in the attention of University students after being given Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). The participants were divided randomly into two group (tDCS vs. Control). tDCS was applied to 37 university students ($23.08{\pm}3.33years$). The tDCS group was applied 2 mA, for 13 minutes twice over a 26 minute period ($n_1=19$). The control ($n_2=18$) was not applied after padding and was applied twice for 13 minutes over a 26 minute period. This study was conducted from September 3 to 28, 2018 and three times a week for a total of four weeks. The electroencephalogram was confirmed to affect attention. tDCS showed significant improvement in the results in the sensory motor rhythm wave (p<0.01, 95% CI: -1.955, -0.459), middle beta wave (p<0.05; 95% CI: 0.027, 0.943), and power ratio (p<0.01, 95% CI: -1.764, -0.315). The results showed that tDCS application increased the attention ability significantly. These results can be applied to attention deficit disorder (ADHD) patients and college students.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.191-198
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• 2013

Objectives : The objective of this study is to find out the differences in psychopathology, temperament, and character factors between young adults with and without childhood attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Methods : The subjects consisted of 314 university students (male=72, female=242) in Gongju. They were divided into childhood ADHD group (N=54) and normal group (N=260) to the Wender-Utah Rating Scale. Participants were assessed using Korean Adult ADHD Scale, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Kimberly Young's Internet Addiction Test, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, Paranoia Scale, Korean-Schizotypal Ambivalence Scale, Lubben Social Network Scale, and Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised. Descriptive statistics, t-test, chi-square, spearman correlation, and stepwise multiple regression were applied to analyze the data. Results : Participants with childhood ADHD symptoms had high level of adult ADHD symptoms (p<.001), impulsiveness (p=.001), depression (p<.001), anxiety (p<.001), internet addiction (p<.001), paranoia tendency (p<.001) and low level of selfesteem (p<.001) compared to normal group. Self-directedness (p<.001) was lower, Harm avoidance (p=.001) and Self-transcendence (p=.029) were higher in the childhood ADHD group. In correlation and stepwise multiple regression, childhood ADHD symptoms were significantly associated with cooperativeness (r=-0.515 and ${\beta}$=-0.547, p<.001 respectively). Conclusion : This result showed that young adults with childhood ADHD symptoms had various forms of psychopathology and childhood ADHD symptoms were influenced by character such as cooperativeness. Therefore, more thorough evaluation regarding childhood ADHD symptoms is needed.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.68 no.2
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• pp.161-184
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions in treatments and experiences of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) for mothers parenting a child with ADHD. Using Giorgi's 4 stages, this study investigated the meaning of ADHD treatments for mothers. Data were collected from December 2014 to February 2015 for 3 months with a sample of 13 mothers of children with ADHD via in-depth interviews. Collected data was analyzed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Dominant issues identified were: I (mother) need to be changed for my child; Through mothers' experiences of lack of self-determination about a child with ADHD, they realized ignorance, chaos, and anxiety. While they experience multiple negative feeling, there is a positive change with unresolved issues. The findings highlight the correct awareness of ADHD and incorporated therapies for mothers and children with ADHD to improve treatment retention. Also, specialized services would be developed for mothers to promote their positive attitude to life, which is vital to cultivating the correct self-awareness.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.310-320
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of a chorus program in a local child center regarding character, social skills, problematic behaviors, and ADHD. Subjects of this study included 24 children in elementary schools participating in the daytime programs at a local child center located in Suwon, South Korea. The chorus program was comprised of 12 sessions of 60 minutes each, conducted from April 5-July 5, 2017. Results of this study were as follows: First, during the interviews on the character of the children before and after participation in the chorus program, it was noted that the children became more active in terms of the relationships with others and leadership. However, it was also noted that children were more active at the center than they were at their schools. Second, the differences in social skills before and after the chorus program among children were significant in overall social skills and their sub-variables, indicating that there were effective in adjusting social skills. Third, the differences in problematic behaviors before and after participation in the chorus program were significant only in overall problematic behaviors and excessive behavior. This indicates that the program was effective in improving problematic behaviors, particularly for excessive behavior. Fourth, the differences before and after participation in the chorus program in terms of ADHD were statistically significant for ADHD and its sub-variables of carelessness and hyperactivity impulsiveness. This indicates that there was an overall improvement in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Therefore, the findings in this study showed that the chorus program was effective on enhancing character, social skills, problematic behaviors, and ADHD behaviors.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.226-233
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• 2012

Ethanol exposure during gestational period is related to growth retardation, morphological abnormality, and even in neurological abnormalities including attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like behaviors on offspring. However, relatively little is known about the effects of maternal ethanol consumption prior to conception on their offspring. In this study, we investigated whether maternal ethanol administration during preconceptional phase produces ADHD-like behaviors in the rat offspring. Sprague-Dawley (SD) female rats were administrated ethanol via intragastric intubation with dosing regimen of 6 g/kg daily for 10 consecutive days and treated female rats then mated with non-treated male SD rats after 8 weeks. Another group subjected to the same procedure as those conducted on ethanol treated group except the saline administration instead of ethanol. Offspring was tested for their ADHD-like behaviors using open field test, Y maze test and impulsivity test that is performed in the aversive electronic foot shock paradigm. Offspring of preconceptional ethanol treated (EtOH) group showed hyperlocomotive activity, attention deficit and impulsivity. And reduction of striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) level was observed by Western blot in the EtOH group, compared to control (Con) group, while the immunohistochemical analysis exhibited increased expression of norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the frontal cortex. These results suggest that maternal ethanol consumption in the preconceptional phase induces ADHD-like behaviors in offspring that might be related to the abnormal expression of DAT and NET in rat.