• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2006

Object : Nerve growth factor(NGF) is a protein involved in neuronal survival and plasticity in the central nervous system, which might play an important role in stress, depression and suicide. This study was performed to determine whether there is an alteration in plasma NGF concentrations in depressed patients with suicidal attempt. Methods : The subjects were 32 depressed patients who attempted suicide and admitted in emergency room. Forty-four hospitalized non-suicidal depressive patients and the 30 normal controls were closely matched with the suicidal group in terms of age and sex. Individuals in all 3 groups were evaluated independently by a semi-structured interview for the purpose of establishing a DSM-IV criteria diagnosis. The severity of depressive symptoms was evaluated using Hamilton depression rating scale(HDRS). The severity of the suicidal behavior was evaluated by Weisman and Worden's risk-rescue rating(RRR) system and the Lethality Suicide Attempt Rating Scale(LSARS). Plasma NGF level was measured by the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) method. Results : There were no statistically significant differences of the plasma NGF levels among groups. LSARS and RRR did not reveal any significant correlation with ${\beta}$-NGF level in suicidal depressive patients. Conclusion : This study do not support an association between ${\beta}$-NGF and suicidal depression. However it is necessary to investigate this association through other route such as postmortem brain.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.146-151
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• 2012

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic agent that is more effective than the typical neuroleptics in the treatment of refractory schizophrenia. Recently, there has been an increased recognition of the association of clozapine with myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. Commonly used diagnostic tests have limited sensitivity in diagnosing this potentially life-threatening complication. Here we report a case of 36-year-old male patient who developed fever, tachycardia, and dyspnea after introduction of clozapine. By clinical evaluation and laboratory test we diagnosed the patient with myocarditis and treated him successfully. To our knowledge this is the first case report of clozapine-induced myocarditis in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.34-39
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• 2015

Mood disorder is a common psychiatric illness with a high lifetime prevalence in the general population. A serious problem such as suicide is commonly occurring in the patients with depression. Till now, the monoamine hypothesis has been the most popular theory of pathogenesis for depression. However, the more specific pathophysiology of depression and cellular molecular mechanism underlying action of commercial antidepressants have not been clearly defined. Several recent studies demonstrated that glial cells, especially astrocytes, are a promising answer to the pathophysiology of depression. In this article, current understanding of biology and molecular mechanisms of glial cells in the pathology of mood disorder and new research on the pathophysiology of depression will be discussed.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.211-215
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• 1996

The present study investigated the associations between CT measures and obstetric complications and family history of major mental illnesses. We had the hypothesis of diosthesis-stress model in the etiology of schizophrenia. We had the following findings. 1) Family history of major mental illnesses is inversely related to obstetric complications. 2) Prefrontal sulcal widening and family history of schizophrenia. are inversely related. 3) In female but not in male patients those with family history of schizophrenia tended to have less prefrontal sulcal widening and ventricular brain ratio. These results suggest that more genetic factors contribute to structural brain abnormalities in female than in male patients.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.162-166
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• 2017

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) syndrome is a potentially life-threatening, medication-induced hypersensitivity reaction with long latency. It is characterized by fever, rash, leukocytosis with eosinophilia, atypical lymphocytosis, and internal organ involvement. The most common causes of DRESS syndrome are sulfonamides and anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine and lamotrigine. However, valproic acid and olanzapine could develop DRESS syndrome. We report a case of DRESS syndrome associated with valproic acid and olanzapine in a 41 years old male patient with bipolar disorder.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 1997

Many disorders in neuropsychiatric field demonstrate variable motor disturbances as their clinical feature or in their courses of illness and also due to psychopharmacological treatment. Although association of such motor disturbances with the pathophysiological aspect of various neuropsychiatric illness are still lacking, some form of motor disturbance offer a window through which pathophysiologic mechanism of such illnesses can be viewed. Cognitive control of motor functions are briefly reviewed in this article and the importance and method of motor function assessment in major neuropsychiatric disorders are also discussed. Motor dysfunction of major neuropsychiatric illness such as schizophrenia and mood disorders may offer a chance of a deeper understanding on the pathophysiologic aspect of their clinical presentation.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 1997

Visual perception is a complex process engaging many different aspects of brain functioning. Like other cognitive functions, the extensive cortical distribution and complexity of visual perceptional activites make them hihgly vulnerable to brain injury. Dectection and characterization of perceptual disorders require a careful clinical assessment as well as the application of selected neuropsychological tests. In this article we reviewed neuropsychological assessment of visual perception and constructional abilities. And the principal visuospatial disorders are discussed, the associated neuropsychiatric disorders are presented.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 1995

Therapeutic montitoring of drugs is a well established clinical 1001. However, the state of art is somewhat less advanced for psychotrpoic agents than it is for other classes of drugs, for several reasons. Most psychotropics have large volumes of distribution and achieve relatively low plasma concentrations following therapeutic doses. Many have one or more active metabolites. As a consequene, the analytical methodologies are often complex and not always reliable; well-controlled clinical studies are difficult to perform; and therapeutic ranges have been difficult to establish. Despite these limitations, prudent and selective monitoring of serum drug concentrations, particularly of the tricyclic antidepressants can be helpful in clinical management. This paper presents an overview of clinical and mothodological issues surrounding the utility of blood level measurement.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 1995

Clinical neuropsychology which belongs to the necuroscience field is concerned with relationship between human behaviors and the brain structure. Clinical neuropsychology has grown to be a specialized separate field within psychology over the last twenty years. Clinical neuropsychology offers an objective methodology to consider the mind-body interaction and evaluate the behavioral consequences and functional deficits associated with brain lesions. Clinical neuropsychological assessment is composed of cognitive, perceptual, motor and emotional function through various neuropsychological examinations such as Halsted-Reitan and Luria-Nebraska batteries, and computerized neuropsychological test such as PCIS Vienna Test System and Stim. The goals of neuropsychological evaluation are to identify of neuropsychological dysfuncitions, to develop execute and monitor treatment plans, and to make rehabilitation programs. Recently, the neuropsychiatric patients are increasing in number and 15-20% of acute psychiatric patients suffer from organic mental problems. Moreover, clinical neuropsychology has an increasingly important role in both neurobehavioral foundation and clinical application. So, psychiatrists must play a major role in the development of clinical neuropsychology in psychiatry.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.162-167
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• 1997

There is no doubt that dopamine plays a critical role in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. However, there appeared some limitations in explaining the complex phenomena of schizophrenia. Recent research data suggest that dysfunction in serotonergic system may be involved. Before the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia became established, the interest in serotonin(5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) as an etiological substrate of this illness occurred. Recently the importance and extent of 5-HT's involvement in the pathophysiology and mechanism of action of antipsychotic drug is actively investigated. In recent years, therapeutic success of clozapine and risperidones has increased attention on the interaction between the 5-HT and dopamine systems in schizophrenia. This led to the concept of serotonin-dopamine antagonist for antipsychotics. The authors review the evidence for the role of 5- HT in schizophrenia and serotonin-dopamine interaction.