• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.343-352
• /
• 2013

Objectives: This study was performed to review the research trends in treatment for REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Kampo in Japan. Methods: We searched articles in CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure) under the key words, "RBD", and Chinese words related with it in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicinal Herbs and Combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine With Western Medicine' field, and also in CiNii (Citation Information by NII); we also searched articles in Kampo Square in Japan under the key words, "RBD" and Japanese words related with it. We found 10 papers, and then selected 6 of them except the non-clinical and unrelated studies. We then analyzed their way of diagnosis, treatments, study type and etc.. Results: 6 studies were divided into 4 case reports, one control study, and one literature review study. All of the studies reported that Herbal medicine for RBD was effective as much as Western medicine like clonazepam and paroxetine. However, the quality and the quantity of these clinical studies were not enough. Conclusions: It seems that the researches for RBD have gradually been performed in TCM and Kampo. We hope that our study can activate/push forward clinical research for this disorder in Korean traditional medicine.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.289-292
• /
• 2013

A total of 2,080 forensic autopsies in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi province were performed by the National Forensic Service (NFS) in 2010. After analysing blood samples collected at autopsies by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS, the types and prevalence of drugs and poisons in blood were investigated using our laboratory information management system. Among 2,080 cases, 1,061 cases (51%) were positive for drugs and poisons. Surprisingly, antidepressants were identified in 137 cases which comprised 13% of the positive cases. Twelve different kinds of antidepressants were determined: Amitriptyline, fluoxetine, nortriptyline, trazodone, imipramine, mirtazapine, citalopram, venlafaxin, clomipramine, paroxetine, sertraline and bupropion. Amitriptyline was the most frequently detected antidepressant and was identified in 39 cases. Moreover, amitriptyline, fluoxetine, and nortriptyline were included in the list of the 20 most commonly encountered drugs or poisons in the analysis of blood collected at autopsies from 2007 to 2009, indicating the prevalence of their use. In this study, the 137 antidepressant-related deaths were classified by the mode of death to predict the prevalence of these drugs. As a result, those deaths were divided into four groups based on the cause and mode of death: 56 cases of suicide with fatal concentrations of antidepressant drugs in blood, 6 homicidal cases directly or indirectly related to antidepressants, 59 natural deaths with antidepressants detected in blood and 16 deaths caused by fire or other accidents with antidepressants detected in blood. Because incidents involving antidepressants have been increasing, especially in suicides or homicides, it is necessary for the health authorities and law enforcement administrations to cooperate and share the statistical data for curbing the abuse of antidepressants. This report is expected to provide the reference data related with antidepressants for the investigation of the deaths.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.21-25
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain condition involving the oral and perioral regions, often characterized by a burning sensation and pain in elderly patients. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of pharmacological agents for the treatment of BMS patients through a retrospective chart review. Methods: We enrolled 61 BMS subjects (57 females, 4 males; $66.4{\pm}10.9$ years of age) from among consecutive patients treated pharmacologically from January 2014 to June 2015 at Chonnam National University Dental Hospital. Patients with secondary BMS associated with local factors were excluded. The treatment period, number of pharmacological agents tried, and effectiveness of the drugs administered to each subject were analyzed. Results: The mean treatment period for the management of BMS was 2.5 months. More than three agents were tried to control BMS symptoms in 17 subjects (27.9%); two agents were used in 10 subjects (16.4%), and a single agent in 24 subjects (39.3%). Clonazepam was prescribed most frequently and was effective at relieving symptoms in 30 of 39 subjects (76.9%). Paroxetine was moderately effective, relieving symptoms in 7 of 17 subjects (41.2%). Some of the subjects benefited from tricyclic antidepressants, gabapentin, and lipoic acid. A topical local anesthetic used to supplement other systemic agents had ameliorating effects in four of six subjects. Conclusions: Within the study limitations, clonazepam was the most effective drug and antidepressants were efficacious in some subjects for relieving the symptoms of BMS. These pharmacological agents could be considered as first-line drugs for the management of BMS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.3
• /
• pp.435-443
• /
• 2022

Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric disease that develops following exposure to a traumatic event and is a stress-associated mental disorder characterized by an imbalance of neuroinflammation. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is the herbal supplement that is known to be involved in a variety of pharmacological activities. We aimed to investigate the effects of KRG on neuroinflammation as a potential mechanism involved in single prolonged stress (SPS) that negatively influences memory formation and consolidation and leads to cognitive and spatial impairment by regulating BDNF signaling, synaptic proteins, and the activation of NF-κB. Methods: We analyzed the cognitive and spatial memory, and inflammatory cytokine levels during the SPS procedure. SPS model rats were injected intraperitoneally with 20, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day KRG for 14 days. Results: KRG administration significantly attenuated the cognitive and spatial memory deficits, as well as the inflammatory reaction in the hippocampus associated with activation of NF-κB in the hippocampus induced by SPS. Moreover, the effects of KRG were equivalent to those exerted by paroxetine. In addition, KRG improved the expression of BDNF mRNA and the synaptic protein PSD-95 in the hippocampus. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that KRG exerts memory-improving actions by regulating anti-inflammatory activities and the NF-κB and neurotrophic pathway. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that KRG is a potential functional ingredient for protecting against memory deficits in mental diseases, such as PTSD.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.1-19
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the research trends of randomized controlled trials on Traditional Korean Medicine treatment for postpartum depression in women. Methods: In order to investigate the effect of Traditional Korean Medicine on postpartum depression, randomized controlled trials on postpartum depression were searched using domestic and foreign search engines and a total of 11 studies were selected. Results: 1. There were 6 studies comparing Traditional Korean Medicine treatment methods with western medicine: fluoxetine hydrochloride (4), paroxetine (1), and mirazapine (1). 2. There were 5 studies comparing methods of Traditional Korean Medicine or sham acupuncture: 1 study evaluated the efficacy of Balance Acupuncture and Guipi Decoction, 1 study compared the effects of conventional acupuncture and Dispersing Liver Regulating Spirit Acupuncture, 1 study evaluated the efficacy of acupuncture and Heat-sensitive Moxibustion, 1 study compared the effects of conventional acupuncture and Musical Electroacupuncture, and 1 study compared the effects of conventional acupuncture and non-invasive sham acupuncture. 3. Postpartum depression is closely related to Heart and Liver, and there were many studies using acupoints Taichong (LR3) and Shenmen (HE7). Cranial acupoints Baihui (DU20) and Yintang (EX-HN3) were also frequently used. 4. Xiaoyaosan and Guipi Decoction were used in herbal medicine treatment for postpartum depression. 5. Novel treatment methods such as Heat-sensitive Moxibustion and Musical Electroacupuncture were used to treat postpartum depression. Conclusion: Traditional Korean Medicine treatment is a good treatment option for postpartum depression. Further systematic studies are needed to establish the basis for Traditional Korean Medicine treatment for postpartum depression.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.53-62
• /
• 2018

Objective : The Korean Association of Anxiety Disorders developed Korean guidelines for treatment of panic disorder (PD) 2018. In this paper, we discussed the consensus among psychiatrists, regarding initial and maintenance treatment strategies for pharmacological treatment of PD in Korea. Methods : Based on current treatment guidelines published by the American Psychiatric Association, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, and the Canadian Psychiatric Association, we developed questionnaires pertinent to initial and maintenance treatment strategies for pharmacological treatment of PD. Seventy-two experts in PD answered questionnaires. We classified expert opinions into three categories, first, second, and third-line treatment strategies, by analyzing the 95% confidence interval. Results : Antidepressants, benzodiazepine anxiolytics, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) were recommended as treatments of choice (ToC), and first-line strategies for initial treatment of PD. Escitalopram, paroxetine, sertraline, and venlafaxine were preferred from among many anti-panic drugs. Mean starting dose of anti-panic drugs for initial treatment of PD was relatively lower, than that for other psychiatric illnesses such as major depressive disorder. In the case of maintenance treatment of PD, antidepressants and CBT were selected as ToC and first-line strategies. Patients were typically examined every four weeks during treatment, to review effectiveness and side effects of the drug. Pharmacotherapy was generally continued for one year or more. Conclusion : This study provides information about consensus among Korean experts regarding pharmacological treatment strategies for patients with panic disorder.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.94-101
• /
• 2006

Objectives : A variety of symptoms are typically reported during anxiety period, several of which are clearly linked to the autonomic nervous system(ANS), such as palpitations, chest pain and shortness of breath. Using spectral analysis of heart rate, several studies have shown that patients with anxiety disorder are characterized by a reduced heart rate variability(HRV), indicative of abnormalities in ANS fuction. To further evaluate the effect of anxiety and medication on autonomic function, 30 patients and 30 matched control subjects were assessed. Methods : Using spectral analysis of heart rate, which consisted of standardised measurements of HRV, we compared ANS between 30 patients with DSM-IV diagnosed anxiety disorder and 30 healthy controls, and investigated the autonomic effects of SSRI treatment. Five-minute HRV recordings were obtained before and after SSRI treatment and were analysed. Results : Five-minute HRV recordings in anxiety disorder patients revealed that a significant reduction in HRV was shown compared to controls. There was no significant changes in HRV between before and after SSRI treatment. Conclusion: Anxiety disorder patients showed a significant reduction in HRV compared to controls. SSRIs do not affect HRV influenced by ANS function. Further study is needed to confirm these things. Patients with anxiety disorder may suffer from functional disturbances in the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic tree.