• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.107-117
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the cognitive function in the elderly and to identify the influencing factors. Methods: The design of this study was descriptive research design. A total of 139 elderly people (aged 65 years and over) visiting the electroencephalogram (EEG) center in Seoul, Korea were evaluated. Data were assessed by self-administered questionnaires and CNS Vital Signs (CNSVS). Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 23.0 for Windows. Results: There were significant differences in the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), executive functions and reasoning according to education level. K-MMSE, visual memory and executive functions were different depending on the jobs. Age was highly correlated with cognitive function. In addition, stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that the factor significantly associated with reaction time and visual memory was depression. Depression and Trait-Anxiety had significant impacts on executive functions and K-MMSE. Conclusion: CNSVS enabled the accurate and objective measurement of cognitive function. Therefore, this study provides useful data to improve cognitive function of the community-dwelling elderly. The results suggested that there is need for comprehensive interventional programs that manage cognitive impairment.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.41-50
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• 2016

This paper describes the effect of a robot cognitive rehabilitation program on cognitive functions for the elderly with mild cognitive impairment, and compares it with traditional cognitive therapy programs. Three experiment groups including cognition therapy group, robot cognitive rehabilitation group, and hybrid group have been sampled and one comparative group has been organized for this research. 32 old people whose ages are between 61 and 88 with mild cognitive impairment participated in the programs with an admission of W care hospital. According to the program results, the cognitive therapy program alone had shown a positive effect on the attention function, and the robot cognitive rehabilitation program alone had a positive effect on the total intelligence and memory function. However, a simultaneous operation with both programs had shown a positive effect on the three intelligence areas such as total, basic, and management quotients as well as attention and memory functions as subsidiary factors. This paper has verified that the proposed robot cognitive rehabilitation program makes a positive effect on a cognitive function and plays a complementary role with traditional cognitive therapy programs.

• Clinical Psychopharmacology and Neuroscience
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.461-468
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• 2018

Objective: Cognitive disturbance is one of the major symptoms of depression and may be improved by treatment with antidepressants. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of cognitive improvement in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who were taking antidepressants. Methods: This study included 86 patients with MDD who completed 12 weeks of antidepressant monotherapy. Cognitive symptoms were assessed using the Perceived Deficits Questionnaire-Korean version (PDQ-K), which addresses four domains of cognitive functioning (attention/concentration, retrospective memory, prospective memory, and organization/planning) and was administered at study entry and at the 12-week end point. A variety of demographic, clinical, and treatment-related variables were evaluated as predictors of changes in total and domain scores. Results: All PDQ-K domains showed significant improvement after 12 weeks of antidepressant treatment. More severe initial depressive symptoms, fewer sick-leave days at study entry, and reduced use of concomitant anxiolytics/hypnotics during treatment were significantly associated with greater cognitive improvement. Conclusion: Cognitive symptoms are more responsive to antidepressant treatment in patients with severe MDD. Reduced use of anxiolytics and hypnotics could improve the cognitive functioning of patients with MDD taking antidepressants.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.101-127
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• 2016

The present study was conducted to examine the effect of meta-cognitive strategy and transfer appropriate processing(TAP) on prospective memory performance. In two experiments, encoding strategy for PM target words was manipulated by instructions. Participants who were assigned to meta strategic condition were engaged to rate task difficulty(EOL) in addition to predict their own performance(JOL), while participants in cognitive strategy condition were to remember target words by pleasantness ratings and sentence generation. In experiment1 and experiment 2, all participants in both conditions performed not only TAP ongoing task but also TIP ongoing task. Results revealed the benefit of meta cognition and transfer appropriate processing on PM performance. Furthermore, the benefit of TAP was diminished in cognitive strategy condition. There were no-costs on judgement tasks across conditions. The findings suggest that meta-cognition allows to sustain PM targets and intention without regard to cognitive resource.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.274-279
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• 2016

Purpose: Adolescents who experienced the alcohol consumption have gradually increased. Adolescence is a critical period of the neural plasticity in the brain. Neural plasticity is mediated by neurotrophins and has an impact on cognitive function. Environmental enrichment ameliorates the cognitive function and increases neurotrophins. Thus, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of environmental enrichment on ethanol induced cognitive impairment in adolescent rats. Methods: The ethanol groups and the controls groups were injected with ethanol (0.5g/kg) and phosphate buffered saline, respectively, through intraperitoneal from 28th day of birth for 11 days. The environmental enrichment groups were provided larger cages containing toys than the standard cage. Passive avoidance test and Y-maze test were performed to evaluate the spatial memory. Results: Environmental enrichment+ethanol group showed higher alterations than the standard environment+ethanol group in Y-maze test (p<.05). In hippocampus, The environmental enrichment+ethanol group showed significantly higher level of the number of c-fos positive celsl and density of tropomyosin receptors kinase B receptor than the standard environment+ethanol group (p<.05). Conclusion: So, we suggested that the environmental enrichment played a role as a prophylaxis for prevention of memory impairment induced by ethanol exposure in adolescence.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.277-286
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation and traditional cognitive training on the working memory and executive function of patients with mild traumatic brain injury. The sample consisted of 20 patients with mild traumatic brain injury who had received rehabilitation treatment in a rehabilitation unit. The subjects were assigned to either the experimental (n = 10) or control group (n = 10). The experimental group received computer-based cognitive rehabilitation and traditional cognitive training for 60 minutes, whereas the control group received only traditional cognitive training for 60 minutes. Both the groups received their respective interventions for 60 minutes a day and 5 times per week across a period of 4 weeks. Working memory and executive function were assessed using the digit span test (forward and backward), visual memory 1 and 2 of the Motor-free Visual Perception Test-3, trail making test, and Stroop test (A and B) both before and after the intervention. The experimental group showed a significantly greater improvement in visual memory and performance on the Stroop test A than the control group. These findings suggest that computer-based cognitive rehabilitation and traditional cognitive training are more effective in promoting positive changes in the working memory and executive function of individuals with mild traumatic brain injury than traditional cognitive training.

• Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.159-219
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• 2016

Mathematical ability is important for academic achievement and technological renovations in the STEM disciplines. This study concentrated on the relationship between neural basis of mathematical cognition and its mechanisms. These cognitive functions include domain specific abilities such as numerical skills and visuospatial abilities, as well as domain general abilities which include language, long term memory, and working memory capacity. Individuals can perform higher cognitive functions such as abstract thinking and reasoning based on these basic cognitive functions. The next topic covered in this study is about individual differences in mathematical abilities. Neural efficiency theory was incorporated in this study to view mathematical talent. According to the theory, a person with mathematical talent uses his or her brain more efficiently than the effortful endeavour of the average human being. Mathematically gifted students show different brain activities when compared to average students. Interhemispheric and intrahemispheric connectivities are enhanced in those students, particularly in the right brain along fronto-parietal longitudinal fasciculus. The third topic deals with growth and development in mathematical capacity. As individuals mature, practice mathematical skills, and gain knowledge, such changes are reflected in cortical activation, which include changes in the activation level, redistribution, and reorganization in the supporting cortex. Among these, reorganization can be related to neural plasticity. Neural plasticity was observed in professional mathematicians and children with mathematical learning disabilities. Last topic is about mathematical creativity viewed from Neural Darwinism. When the brain is faced with a novel problem, it needs to collect all of the necessary concepts(knowledge) from long term memory, make multitudes of connections, and test which ones have the highest probability in helping solve the unusual problem. Having followed the above brain modifying steps, once the brain finally finds the correct response to the novel problem, the final response comes as a form of inspiration. For a novice, the first step of acquisition of knowledge structure is the most important. However, as expertise increases, the latter two stages of making connections and selection become more important.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.108-118
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• 2021

Background: Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) contains a variety of ginsenosides that can be metabolized to a biologically active substance, compound K. Previous research showed that compound K could be enriched in the red ginseng extract (RGE) after hydrolysis by pectinase. The current study investigated whether the enzymatically hydrolyzed red ginseng extract (HRGE) containing a notable level of compound K has cognitive improving and neuroprotective effects. Methods: A scopolamine-induced hypomnesic mouse model was subjected to behavioral tasks, such as the Y-maze, passive avoidance, and the Morris water maze tests. After sacrificing the mice, the brains were collected, histologically examined (hematoxylin and eosin staining), and the expressions of antioxidant proteins analyzed by western blot. Results: Behavioral assessment indicated that the oral administration of HRGE at a dosage of 300 mg/kg body weight reversed scopolamine-induced learning and memory deficits. Histological examination demonstrated that the hippocampal damage observed in scopolamine-treated mouse brains was reduced by HRGE administration. In addition, HRGE administration increased the expression of nuclear-factor-E2-related factor 2 and its downstream antioxidant enzymes NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase and heme oxygenase-1 in hippocampal tissue homogenates. An in vitro assay using HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells demonstrated that HRGE treatment attenuated glutamate-induced cytotoxicity by decreasing the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HRGE administration can effectively alleviate hippocampus-mediated cognitive impairment, possibly through cytoprotective mechanisms, preventing oxidative-stress-induced neuronal cell death via the upregulation of phase 2 antioxidant molecules.

• 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 Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2022

Objectives: Previous studies have found that the oral health of seniors can affect their physical nutrition and quality of life (QoL). Additionally, poor oral health can lead to the development of dementia, which is associated with decreased cognitive function. This study aimed to examine the impact of geriatric oral health (GOH) on the QoL of Korean seniors and the mediating effects of cognitive function. Methods: We used data from the seventh Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging conducted in 2018. In total, 4049 seniors were included in our study. We analyzed the impact of GOH on QoL according to 5 mediating domains of cognitive function and control variables. To examine each path of mediating effects, bootstrapping with 5000 iterations was performed with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Our findings revealed that good GOH had a positive effect on the QoL of seniors. Also, better GOH corresponded to a higher degree of cognitive function within all 5 domains: orientation, memory registration, attention/calculation, memory recall, and language and visuospatial ability. In addition, 3 domains of the 5 domains (attention/calculation, memory recall, and language and visuospatial ability) had significant mediating effects on the relationship between GOH and QoL. Conclusions: This study suggests that adequate management of GOH is crucial for promoting a better QoL and a high degree of cognitive function among seniors. To prevent cognitive impairment, such as dementia, future studies should take a more targeted approach by examining data according to each cognitive domain and various socio-demographic factors.