• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.212-218
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• 2017

Objectives We aimed to examine whether mindfulness skills are mediating the improvements of depressive symptoms in patients with mood disorders who practiced Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). Methods A total of 19 patients with mood disorder were included in this study. The participants were divided into two subgroups: a normal to mild depression group and a moderate depression group. The participants completed questionnaires to assess depressive symptoms, anxiety, quality of life, suicidal idea, and mindfulness skills which were measured by the Five Facets of Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) before and after MBCT course. Results The moderate depression group showed improvements through MBCT in depressive symptoms and suicidal idea, but not in anxiety and quality of life. The normal to mild depression group showed no significant change through MBCT. The improvement of depressive symptoms in the moderate depression group was predictable by improvements of the five facets of mindfulness, especially by 'observe' and 'non-react' components. Conclusions This study showed that currently depressive patients with moderate severity but not with normal to mild severity benefit from MBCT in reducing depressive symptoms and suicidal idea. The improvement of depressive symptoms was mediated by improved mindfulness skills through MBCT.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2018

Objectives: The overuse of the Internet among adolescents has increased dramatically in recent years, leading to pathological or problematic Internet use. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is known to be effective for the treatment of problematic Internet use, particularly for adolescents. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of group CBT for problematic Internet use in adolescents. Methods: A total of 17 patients aged 12-17 years who met Young's diagnostic questionnaire criteria of problematic Internet use participated in a school-based eight-session group CBT program. The level of problematic Internet use among participating students was measured using Young's Internet Addiction Scale (IAS). Depression and anxiety levels were evaluated using the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively. Each construct was assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a one-month follow-up visit. Statistical significance was based on a p-value of <0.05. Results: Immediately after the program, the IAS, CDI, and State Anxiety Inventory (SAI) scores were significantly lower than before the program. At the one-month follow-up assessment, the IAS scores remained low, and the CDI and SAI scores were even lower than immediately after the program. Conclusion: Group CBT was effective for adolescents with problematic Internet use, and was also demonstrated to improve depression and anxiety.

• Journal of Digital Contents Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.443-455
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• 2017

This study is a follow-up study of Smart-phone Application Content Development for the Measurement and Management of Adolescents' Depression(J. S. Park et al., 2016), that designing and implementing a smart-phone application based on cognitive behavioral therapy. This app facilitates analysis of depressive symptoms, and a simple, continuous self-check. Through this, the app will allow for continuous management of the psychological states by avoiding one-off or comprehensive analysis and diagnosis of depression, unlike previous app. We also aim to make a connection to the practical counseling services. To achieve this goal, we examined not only existing studies on youth depression, but also mobile applications related to depression.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.160-167
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• 2019

Depression is a major mood disorder. Abnormal expression of glial glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) is associated with depression. Schisantherin B (STB) is one bioactive of lignans isolated from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill which has been commonly used as a traditional herbal medicine for thousands of years. This paper was designed to investigate the effects of STB on depressive mice induced by forced swimming test (FST). Additionally, we also assessed the impairment of FST on cognitive function in mice with different ages. FST and open field test (OFT) were used for assessing depressive symptoms, and Y-maze was used for evaluating cognition processes. Our study showed that STB acting as an antidepressant, which increased GLT-1 levels by promoting PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Although the damage is reversible, short-term learning and memory impairment caused by FST test is more serious in the aged mice, and STB also exerts cognition improvement ability in the meanwhile. Our findings suggested that STB might be a promising therapeutic agent of depression by regulating the GLT-1 restoration as well as activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.193-196
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• 1994

Primary depression with cognitive impairment, referred to as depressive pseudodementia, may be mistaken for a progressive degenerative dementia. Recognition of primary depression is clinically important because of its treatability. To differentiate depression from degenerative dementia, author used brain SPECT. By the result the regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) in elderly depressed patient was decreased in the right frontal cortex. The pattern of rCBF was different from that of dementia which shows decreased rCBF in bifrontal cortex. By using brain SPECT in depressed elderly patient with cognitive impairment, the discrimination from dementia will be more effective and accurate.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2016

Stroke leads to a variety of pathophysiological conditions such as ischemic infarct, cerebral inflammation, neuronal damage, cognitive decline, and depression. Many endeavors have been tried to find the therapeutic solutions to attenuate severe neuropathogenesis after stroke. Several studies have reported that a decrease in the neuropeptide regulator 'galanin' is associated with neuronal loss, learning and memory dysfunctions, and depression following a stroke. The present review summarized recent evidences on the function and the therapeutic potential of galanin in post-ischemic stroke to provide a further understanding of galanin's role. Hence, we suggest that galanin needs to be considered as a therapeutic factor in the alleviation of post-stroke pathologies.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.353-362
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• 2013

Objectives: This study is conducted to identify the effects of the activity program for preventing dementia against depression, cognitive function, and quality of life for the elderly. Methods: A non-equivalent control group with pretest-posttest design was used on 50 elderly who were assigned to the experimental and control group (25 for each group). Results: Cognitive function was significantly different between the two groups of the pretest and posttest (Z=4.217, p<.001). There were significant differences between the two groups of the pretest and posttest (Z=-2.324, p=.020) for the quality of life on the EQ-5D index. Conclusions: These findings confirmed that the activity program for preventing dementia was effective for improving cognitive functions and quality of life for the elderly. Therefore, it is further encouraged to perform the activity programs for preventing dementia within other community health posts and community centers. It is necessary to study the emotional supports from community health posts in the future.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.182-191
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• 2017

The study is conducted to identify the effects of the dementia preventive program on dementia knowledge, depression and cognitive function. A nonequivalent control group with pretest-posttest design was used on 61 elderly who were assigned to the experimental group 30 and control group 31. By using SPSS WIN 21.0 program, independent t-test was performed as analyzing method. The result of this study showed that average level of dementia knowledge was increased statistically (t=3.976, p<.001) at experimental group. Average level of cognitive function was increased statistically significant (t=3.048, p<.05) at experimental group. These findings confirmed that the dementia preventive program for preventing dementia was effective for improving dementia knowledge and cognitive function for elderly. Therefore, it is further encouraged to perform the dementia preventive program for preventing dementia within other Korean community in USA.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.463-473
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between the cognitive functions, health conditions, activities of daily living, depression and sleep states among the elderly at care facilities. The subjects include 204 elderly people aged 65. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression. The findings show that the cognitive functions of the elderly at care facilities are related to their engagement in regular exercise, duration of residency, grade of care, lack of physical freedom, listening ability, state of teeth, urinary incontinence, activities of daily living, and state of sleep. Their cognitive functions had positive correlations with activities of daily living and negative correlations with state of sleep. Their cognitive impairment was significantly influenced by their engagement in regular exercise, duration of residency, grade of care, listening ability, ADL, IAD dependency, and sleep disorder. In short, the cognitive functions of the elderly at care facilities are highly related to their health conditions as perceived and felt by them. It is thus required to develop, apply, and consistently assess and manage cognitive rehabilitation training programs to provide interventions for the factors that influence their cognitive impairment.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2006

Objective : Associations of vascular risk/disease or apolipoprotein E ${\varepsilon}4$(APOE4) with geriatric depression has been unclear at a population level. This study aimed to evaluate whether there would be interactions of vascular risk/disease and APOE4 on depression in a Korean elderly population. Methods : 732 community residents aged 65 or over were assessed for depression(GMS), information on vascular risk/disease(reported stroke, transient ishemic attack, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, smoking), examinations for vascular risk/disease(blood pressure, blood tests for glucose and lipid profiles, body size), APOE genotypes, demographic characteristics(age, gender, education), physical health, and cognitive function(MMSE). Results : Previous stroke and lower level of high density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol were significantly associated with geriatric depression independent of demographic characteristics, physical illnesses, and cognitive function. These associations were statistically significant only in those with APOE4, although the interaction terms didn't reach to statistical significance. Conclusion : Associations between vascular risk/disease and geriatric depression might be more prominent in those with APOE4. However further research would be needed to clarify this issue.