• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.190-197
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• 2012

Ginseng has a long history of use for health enhancement, and there is some evidence from animal studies that it has a beneficial effect on cognitive performance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Korean red ginseng on cognitive performance in humans. A total of 15 healthy young males with no psychiatric or cognitive problems were selected based on an interview with a board-certified psychiatrist. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive a daily dose of 4,500 mg red ginseng or placebo for a 2-week trial. There were 8 subjects in the red ginseng group and 7 subjects in the placebo group. All of the subjects were analyzed with the Vienna test system and a P300 event-related potential (ERP) test. There were no significant differences in the Vienna test system scores between the red ginseng group and the placebo group. In the event-related potential test, the C3 latency of the red ginseng group tended to decrease during the study period (p=0.005). After 2 wk, significant decreases were observed in the P300 latencies at Cz (p=0.008), C3 (p=0.005), C4 (p=0.002), and C mean (p=0.003) in the red ginseng group. Our results suggest that the decreased latency in ERP is associated with improved cognitive function. Further studies with a higher dosage of ginseng, a larger sample size, and a longer follow-up period are necessary to confirm the clinical efficacy of Korean red ginseng.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.102-107
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• 1994

Recently several studies showed a strong and specific association of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) and generalized resistance to thyroid hormone(GRTH). The recommandation that all children with ADHD be screened for GRTH is an newer controversial issue in child psychiatric field. Author examined thyroid indices(T3, T4, TSH) and clinical characteristics in the 51 clinical populations with ADHD, developmental delay, and language disorders. The results are that 11 cases were out of the normal range of both T2 and T4 inspite of normal TSH. This finding is suggestive of the finding of GRTH cases. Therefore I suggest that child psychiatrist should pay attention to ADHD symptoms secondary to GRTH and that all children with familial ADHD and developmental delay(including launguage disorder) be screened for thyroid abnormalities.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.11-41
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• 2011

The discovery of microRNA (miRNA) is one of the major scientific breakthroughs in recent years and has revolutionized current cell biology and medical science. miRNAs are small (19~25nt) noncoding RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by targeting the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for degradation of translation repression. Genetic ablation of the miRNA machinery, as well as loss or degradation of certain individual miRNAs, severely compromises immune development and response, and can lead to immune disorders. Several sophisticated regulatory mechanisms are used to maintain immune homeostasis. Regulatory T (Treg) cells are essential for maintaining peripheral tolerance, preventing autoimmune diseases and limiting chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent publications have provided compelling evidence that miRNAs are highly expressed in Treg cells, that the expression of Foxp3 is controlled by miRNAs and that a range of miRNAs are involved in the regulation of immunity. A large number of studies have reported links between alterations of miRNA homeostasis and pathological conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, as well as psychiatric and neurological diseases. Although it is still unclear how miRNA controls Treg cell development and function, recent studies certainly indicate that this topic will be the subject of further research. The specific circulating miRNA species may also be useful for the diagnosis, classification, prognosis of diseases and prediction of the therapeutic response. An explosive literature has focussed on the role of miRNA. In this review, I briefly summarize the current studies about the role of miRNAs in Treg cells and in the regulation of the innate and adaptive immune response. I also review the explosive current studies about clinical application of miRNA.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.120-126
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• 2012

Objective : Previous studies reported a correlation between the low serum cholesterol level and impulsive behaviors. In this study, we investigate an association between the serum lipid levels and psychological parameters in maladaptive soldiers in the Korean Army. Methods : A total of ninety-six maladaptive subjects and thirty-six normal controls in the Korean army were evaluated with the Korean version of Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (K-BIS), Korean version of Beck Suicidal Ideation Scale (K- BSIS), Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory (K-BDI) and Korean version of Beck Anxiety Inventory (K-BAI). Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) level were measured by overnight fasting blood sampling. Results : There were no significant differences between the groups in demographic characteristics. Serum total cholesterol levels (t=-2.209, p=0.032), triglyceride levels (t=-4.593, p<0.001), and LDL levels (t=-3.753, p=0.001) of maladaptive subjects were significantly lower than those of normal controls, and maladaptive subjects had higher K-BIS scores than normal controls (t=7.542, p<0.001). Negative correlation was found between LDL levels and non-planning impulsiveness in the maladaptive subjects (r=-0.253, p=0.013). LDL levels (${\beta}=-0.258$, p=0.008) and K-BDI scores (${\beta}=0.266$, p=0.043) emerged as significant predictors for non-planning impulsiveness. Conclusion : These results suggested that LDL level was associated with non-planning impulsiveness. These findings suggested that serum cholesterol levels might be available as a biological marker of impulsiveness. However, more large samples, longitudinal biological study and psychiatric evaluations should be needed to develop a preventive intervention for maladaptive male conscripts in the Korean army.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.43-51
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• 2018

$K^+$ channels are key components of the primary and secondary basolateral $Cl^-$ pump systems, which are important for secretion from the salivary glands. Paroxetine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) for psychiatric disorders that can induce QT prolongation, which may lead to torsades de pointes. We studied the effects of paroxetine on a human $K^+$ channel, human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG), expressed in Xenopus oocytes and on action potential in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. The hERG encodes the pore-forming subunits of the rapidly-activating delayed rectifier $K^+$ channel ($I_{Kr}$) in the heart. Mutations in hERG reduce $I_{Kr}$ and cause type 2 long QT syndrome (LQT2), a disorder that predisposes individuals to life-threatening arrhythmias. Paroxetine induced concentration-dependent decreases in the current amplitude at the end of the voltage steps and hERG tail currents. The inhibition was concentration-dependent and time-dependent, but voltage-independent during each voltage pulse. In guinea pig ventricular myocytes held at $36^{\circ}C$, treatment with $0.4{\mu}M$ paroxetine for 5 min decreased the action potential duration at 90% of repolarization ($APD_{90}$) by 4.3%. Our results suggest that paroxetine is a blocker of the hERG channels, providing a molecular mechanism for the arrhythmogenic side effects of clinical administration of paroxetine.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.129-137
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• 1992

This article describes several clinical usefullness of the telephone in psychotherapy with adolescents through case analysis by Tolchin, and discussed various management problems and some practical guidelines for therapists planning to utilize telephone psychotherapy with adolescents through literature analysis. In general, most adolescent patients in regular treatment benefit from knowing that the therapist can be reached by phone and that their call will be returned that same day. The therapist's telephone availability helps the young patient to develope a positive working alliance. Telephone psychotherapy had it's first widespread application in crisis intervention and suicide prevention. It's current uses also include enhancement of self-control in cases of self-destructive adolescents, and management of anxious, depressive, or anorexic adolescents. In addition, such widely divergent modalities of treatment as follow up of patients discharged from a psychiatric hospital, alcoholic rehabilitation programs, drug hotlines, sex counselling group therapy for visually impaired elderly, control of separation anxiety in girls, resolution of fear on the mental disorders, and helpful modality to continue psychotherapy without geographic barrier during longer periods of separation with therapist are currently available via telephone. But telephone psychotherapy is generally not suitable for more self-defensive and introverted cases, more dependent chronic callers, silent cases, test callers. the cases of telephone scatologias, the cases of intellectualized discussion, of more dependent cases calling phone in order to get attention from therapist. Telephone psychotherapy for adolescents serves as an important and useful method in the therapeutic armamentarium for this most challenging and rewarding population.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.36-52
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• 2003

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is one of the most comminly treated conditions in the child psychiatric units and results in substantial impairment in peer, family and academoc functioning. For 70% to 80% of children with a diagnosis of ADHD, stimulant tratment results in successful improvement of the core ADHD symptoms. However, children with ADHD have high level of comorbidity and may respond differently from children with ADHD without comorbidity. Therefore they may need specific treatment plan. We reviewed efficacy and safety of prescribed medication for treating children with ADHD, the relationship between ADHD and the comorbid conditions and treatment algorithm projects of ADHD with/without comorbid conditions performed Korean and American child psychiatrists. Our main objective is to increase the uniformity of treatment and improve the clinical outcomes of children with comorbid ADHD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.226-234
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• 2011

We investigated the clinical effects of Korean red ginseng on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Eighteen subjects aged between 6 and 14 diagnosed with ADHD based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition diagnosis criteria were enrolled. Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) at 1,000 mg b.i.d. was administered to the subjects for 8 weeks. Eighteen children completed the questionnaire and clinical assessment by visiting the hospital at baseline, then in the first, fourth and eighth weeks. Clinical assessments were performed by using the ADHD Diagnostic System (ADS, a computerized attention assessment program), the abbreviated Conners' rating scale in addition to psychiatric interviews. After 8 weeks, significant differences were found in the omisssion errors of ADS ($78.56{\pm}43.33$ at baseline, $55.17{\pm}21.44$ at 8 weeks, p<0.023), Conners ADHD Rating Scale ($13.78{\pm}6.32$ at baseline, $9.50{\pm}4.80$ at 8 weeks, p<0.042) and Spielberger State Anxiety Scale ($30.94{\pm}6.25$ at baseline, $28.83{\pm}6.23$ at 8 weeks, p<0.024). In the Korean Personality Inventory for Children, a significant reduction of score was found in the physical development scale ($56.44{\pm}9.63$ at baseline, $50.94{\pm}8.91$ at 8 weeks, p<0.017) and social dysfunction scale ($56.33{\pm}6.82$ at baseline, $51.94{\pm}7.13$ at 8 weeks, p<0.025). These results suggest that Korean red ginseng may be effective in improving inattentiveness in ADHD children, but it remains uncertain if it improves the general severity of ADHD, depression, anxiety personality and behavioral changes.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.10 no.1 s.19
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• pp.46-50
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• 2004

The majority of esophageal Foreign body ingestions occur in the pediatric population. In adults, true foreign object ingestion occurs more commonly among those with psychiatric disorders, mental impairment. The management of esophageal foreign bodies is influenced by the age, clinical condition of ingested material, anatomic location and technical abilities of the endoscopist. Recently the therapeutic endoscopy is becoming wider and more rational in application. We evaluated the role of endoscopy for removal of esophageal foreign bodies during the period of 4 years from January 2000 to December 2003 at the Department of Otolaryngology and Gastroenterology, Seonam University Hospital. The results were as follow, 1) The age ranged from 21 to 74 years old (mean 50.5), most frequent age group was between 61-70 years old and male to female ratio was 1:1.4. 2) Fish bone was the most frequent foreign body in the esophagus ($47.1\%$), food material ($23.5\%$) and meats ($17.6\%$) were next frequent foreign bodies. The most frequent site of lodgement was the first ($78.4\%$), second ($17.6\%$) and third narrowing ($3.9\%$) in order. 3) The most common symptom was foreign body sensation (28.6%). the next common symptoms were chest discomfort($23.8\%$) and dysphagia($19\%$). 4) In duration of lodgement, 49cases ($96.1\%$) were lodged for less than one day. 5) The foreign bodies of esophagus were removed successfully by flexible endoscope with basket, snare, forceps, overtube and endoscopic variceal ligation cap. There were only 3 cases of minimal complications, esophageal mucosal tearing. In conclusion, endoscopic esophageal foreign body removal is useful and safe with minimal or no complications.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.101-109
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• 2013

Depressive disorders are the most common psychiatric problem in the elderly. Most depression treatment guidelines emphasize treatment with antidepressant medication and recommend that benzodiazepine use be minimized for limited period, particularly to elderly patients. In order to evaluate appropriate use of antidepressants and benzodiazepine, retrospective review of prescriptions was performed. The study population are older than 65 years who had been newly diagnosed with major depressive disorder in specialty mental health at a community general hospital from January $1^{st}$, 2007 to October $31^{th}$, 2012 (N=373). Initial antidepressant accounted for 89.5% with SSRI, and escitalopram accounted for 60.9% of SSRI group. 79% or more of the patients were prescribed the recommended dosage. The maintenance rate for 4 weeks of initial antidepressant was 48% and 6 weeks was 39%. Treatment-discontinuation rate was 68% at 3 month. Alprazolam (short acting benzodiazepine) was prescribed the most, followed by clonazepam (long acting benzodiazepine) and then diazepam. 55% of patients received a duplicated prescription for short acting plus long acting benzodiazepine. 61% of patients used long acting benzodiazepines. Prescribed dosages of benzodiazepines were commonly within a recommended range, while no one was prescribed a appropriate period (up to 2 weeks) except for the early discontinued patients. Appropriate use of zolpidem was only 16.2%. The depressed elderly treated in specialty mental health mostly received long-term treatment with benzodiazepines in combination with antidepressants, guideline recommendations was not followed. Multidisciplinary interventions like audit and feedback of benzodiazepine use are needed and education for the elderly is needed to properly maintain antidepressant treatment.