• Journal of Korean Elementary Science Education
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.49-62
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• 2007

The higher cognitive functions of the human brain including teaming are hypothesized to be selectively distributed across large-scale neural networks interconnected to the cortical and subcortical areas. Recently, advances in functional imaging have made it possible to visualize the brain areas activated by certain cognitive activities in vivo. Neural substrates for teaming and motivation have also begun to be revealed. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provides a non-invasive indirect mapping of cerebral activity, based on the blood- oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast which is based on the localized hemodynamic changes following neural activities in certain areas of the brain. The fMRI method is now becoming an essential tool used to define the neuro-functional mechanisms of higher brain functions such as memory, language, attention, learning, plasticity and emotion. Further research in the field of education will accelerate the verification of the effects on loaming or help in the selection of model teaching strategies. Thus, the purpose of this study was to review brain study methods using fMRI in science education. In conclusion, a number of possible strategies using fMRI for the study of elementary science education were suggested.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.467-477
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• 2001

We examined astrocyte regional heterogeneity in their morphological changes in response to various stimuli. Astrocytes were cultured from six different neonatal rat brain regions including cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, mid brain, brain stem and hypothalamus. Astrocyte stellation was induced by serum deprivation and the maximum stellation in different regional astrocytes was achieved after 2 h. After 24 h, in all astrocyte cultures, the level of stellation returned to their original level. Cerebellar or hypothalamic astrocytes were the most or the least sensitive, respectively, to serum deprivation. The order of maximum sensitivity to serum deprivation among different regional astrocytes was: cerebellum＞mid $brain{\ge}hippocampus,\;brain\;stem{\ge}cerebral$ cortex＞hypothalamus. Isoproterenol-induced astrocyte stellation was also examined in different regional astrocytes, and similar order of maximum sensitivity as in serum deprivation was observed. Next a possible developmental effect on astrocyte morphological changes was examined in cerebral cortex and cerebellum astrocytes cultured from postnatal day 1 (P1), P4 and P7 rat brains. A much higher sensitivity of cerebellum astrocytes to serum deprivation as well as isoproterenol treatment was consistently observed in P1, P4 and P7-derived astrocytes compared to cerebral cortex astrocytes. The present study demonstrates different regional astrocytes maintain different levels of morphological plasticity in vitro.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.148-160
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• 2023

Depression is a neuropsychiatric disorder associated with persistent stress and disruption of neuronal function. Persistent stress causes neuronal atrophy, including loss of synapses and reduced size of the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. These alterations are associated with neural dysfunction, including mood disturbances, cognitive impairment, and behavioral changes. Synaptic plasticity is the fundamental function of neural networks in response to various stimuli and acts by reorganizing neuronal structure, function, and connections from the molecular to the behavioral level. In this review, we describe the alterations in synaptic plasticity as underlying pathological mechanisms for depression in animal models and humans. We further elaborate on the significance of phytochemicals as bioactive agents that can positively modulate stress-induced, aberrant synaptic activity. Bioactive agents, including flavonoids, terpenes, saponins, and lignans, have been reported to upregulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and release, suppress neuronal loss, and activate the relevant signaling pathways, including TrkB, ERK, Akt, and mTOR pathways, resulting in increased spine maturation and synaptic numbers in the neuronal cells and in the brains of stressed animals. In clinical trials, phytochemical usage is regarded as safe and well-tolerated for suppressing stress-related parameters in patients with depression. Thus, intake of phytochemicals with safe and active effects on synaptic plasticity may be a strategy for preventing neuronal damage and alleviating depression in a stressful life.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.365-373
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• 2016

This research clarified a neuroscientific mechanism from somatics in dance contents developed using somatics methods through literature studies. To clarify these, first, I organized neuroscientific mechanism in somatics, second, researched neuroscientific mechanism in dance contents adopted from somatics practice. Somatics is limited to Feldenkrais Method. It is possible to explain neuroscientific mechanism through neuro-plasticity, proprioception and Sensory Integration. As a result Gaga and Tamalpa take the method Awareness thorugh Movement from Feldenrkrais. They integrate newly formed networks by informations from proprioceptive senses. This study is significant that suggest brain scientific practices in dances and somatics, explain mechanism between brain and body in dance practices and provide a base that explains mechanism of body movement in a view of brain science to choreographers and dancers to apply this mechanism in their study and training.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.389-395
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• 2011

Repeated administration of psychostimulants such as cocaine leads to the development of behavioral sensitization. Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK), an enzyme important for long-term neuronal plasticity, has been implicated in such effects of these drugs. Although the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is the site mediating the expression of behavioral sensitization by drugs of abuse, the precise role of ERK activation in this site has not been determined. In this study we demonstrate that blockade of ERK phosphorylation in the NAcc by a single bilateral microinjections of PD98059 (0.5 or $2.0{\mu}g/side$), or U0126 (0.1 or $1.0{\mu}g/side$), into this site dose-dependently inhibited the expression of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization when measured at day 7 following 6 consecutive daily cocaine injections (15 mg/kg, i.p.). Acute microinjection of either vehicle or PD98059 alone produced no different locomotor activity compared to saline control. Further, microinjection of PD98059 ($2.0{\mu}g/side$) in the NAcc specifically lowered cocaine-induced increase of ERK phosphorylation levels in this site, while unaffecting p-38 protein levels. These results indicate that ERK activation in the NAcc is necessary for the expression of cocaine-induced behavioral sensitization, and further suggest that repeated cocaine evokes neuronal plasticity involving ERK pathway in this site leading to long-lasting behavioral changes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.117-125
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• 1997

The N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated glutamatergic neurotransmission is involved in synaptic plasticity, developmental processes, learning and memory and many neuropathological disorders including age-related diseases. In the present study, regulation of the NMDA receptor properties by various ligands was investigated using $[^3H]MK-801$ binding studies in the synaptic membranes of young and aged rat forebrains. The binding in the presence of glutamate and glycine increased dramatically with growth between 1 and 6 weeks old, and thereafter declined gradually with aging. Glutamate, glycine or spermine respectively increased the binding with growth. Glutamate maintained the binding during aging, while glycine or spermine significantly decreased the binding in the aged brain. The maximum stimulation by glycine varied depending on the ages of brains. Greater sensitivity to glycine was observed at 1 week and 3 months and the sensitivity was significantly reduced in the aged brain. In contrast, spermine showed similar stimulation patterns in young and aged rats. These results indicated that the functional properties of the NMDA receptor-ion channel complex in young and aged rat forebrains are differentially regulated by agonists, and the reduction of the receptor function with normal aging may be, in some degree, due to the reduction of the receptor sensitivity to glycine.

• 한국노년학
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.925-940
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• 2008

As the proportion of old people in contemporary societies steadily increases, the influence on cognitive rehabilitation strategy of the memory deficit associated with normal and pathological aging grows greater as well. This paper reviewed the current memory rehabilitation techniques for older adults. In the first part of this article, human memory systems as a framework for understanding memory aging were considered. In the second part, research findings concerning memory performance in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease were reviewed. Finally, recent evidence for the kinds of memory rehabilitation procedures with proven efficacy were offered. The existent memory rehabilitation technique have focused on prompt of residual explicit memory, use of preserved implicit memory, utilization of memory external memory aids. A suggestion of memory training based on brain plasticity as a novel approach is offered.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.107-112
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• 2020

With the importance of creative learning highly valued, the demand for education in early childhood and adolescence has been increasing in recent years, but simple memorization-oriented and classical teaching methods tend not to prove high effectiveness in terms of learner-centeredness. Students who study static at their desks for a long time do not prefer boring classical learning methods, and there is also a lack of educational methods and educational content that conforms to the convergence education trend in the actual educational field. Therefore, this study has created a system that allows students to exercise and learn at the same time through a fun and familiar approach, and implement educational content through activation of brain plasticity.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2015

Adaptive brain function and synaptic plasticity rely on dynamic regulation of local proteome. One way for the neuron to introduce new proteins to the axon terminal is to transport those from the cell body, which had long been thought as the only source of axonal proteins. Another way, which is the topic of this review, is synthesizing proteins on site by local mRNA translation. Recent evidence indicates that the axon stores a reservoir of translationally silent mRNAs and regulates their expression solely by translational control. Different stimuli to axons, such as guidance cues, growth factors, and nerve injury, promote translation of selective mRNAs, a process required for the axon's ability to respond to these cues. One of the critical questions in the field of axonal protein synthesis is how mRNA-specific local translation is regulated by extracellular cues. Here, we review current experimental techniques that can be used to answer this question. Furthermore, we discuss how new technologies can help us understand what biological processes are regulated by axonal protein synthesis in vivo.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2007

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to test the effect of balance training for proprioceptive and vestibular sensory stimulation and therapeutic environment on expression of BDNF after traumatic brain injury in the rat. Subject : Twelve Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into group I and group II. After traumatic brain injury, group I was housed in standard cage for 7 days. Group II was housed in therapeutic cage after balance training for 7 days. Method : Traumatic brain injury was induced by weight drop model and after operation they were housed in individual standard cages for 24 hours. After 7th day, the rats were sacrificed and cryostat coronal sections were processed individually in goat polyclonal anti-BDNF antibody. The morphologic characteristics and the BDNF expression were investigated in injured hemisphere section from immunohistochemistry using light microscope. Result : Immunohistochemical response of BDNF in lateral nucleus, purkinje cell layer, superior vestibular nucleus and pontine nucleus appeared very higher in group II than in group I Conclusion : The present result revealed that simultaneously application of balance training for proprioceptive and vestibular sensory stimulation input and therapeutic environment in traumatic brain injured rats is enhance expression of BDNF and it is facilitates neural plasticity.