• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.26-31
• /
• 2003

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement of sleep (PLMS), often concurrent, come under diagnosed disorders of sleep and treatable condition. RLS symptoms are evoked in the limbs at rest and increase in the evening and during the night. PLMS is characterized by periodic episodes of repetitive limb movements caused by muscle contractions during sleep. RLS is often associated with a sleep complaint and PLMS. Both RLS and PLMS represent one of the most commonly encountered sleep disorders in a primary care setting. The circadian rhythm and the presence of PLMS cause sleep disturbances in RLS. The emphasis on pathophysiology includes consideration of central nervous system localization, neurotransmitter, and the role of iron metabolism. Dopaminergic agents are considered the treatment of choice for RLS and PLMS. With proper diagnosis and effective treatment patients' ability to fall asleep and maintain sleep improves, and their sense of well being increases.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.138-141
• /
• 1998

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is an uncommon but potentially fatal idiosyncratic reaction to neuroleptics, characterized by muscular rigidity, fever, autonomic dysfunction, and altered consciousness. The major theories to explain NMS is central dopaminergic blockade, but it is unclear. Risperidone is a new antipsychotic drug, a benzisoxazole derivative that blocks dopamine $D_2$ receptor and serotonin type 2 receptor. The comparatively greater serotonin-blocking activity is believed to give risperidone the specific property of not causing any more extrapyramidal side effects than conventional antipsychotics at the optimal dose of 4-8mg/day. It is postulated that risperidone is unlikely to cause NMS. Here, we report a case of risperidone induced neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.61-71
• /
• 2011

Substance addiction is a chronically relapsing disorder that has been characterized by a vicious cycle composed of intoxication, craving/anticipation, withdrawal, and response inhibition/bingeing. Here we summarize the findings from neuroimaging studies in addiction according to these behavioral components and suggest the integrated neurobiological model of drug addiction and related brain correlates. The roles of various prefrontal regions, thalamus, memory circuit, anterior cingulated, and insula were also suggested in addition to those of classical mesolimbic dopaminergic system and its responsivity. Limited studies of behavioral addiction demonstrated a similarity with substance addiction on the neurobiological basis. Based on the current understanding of neurobiology of addiction, further researches on interactions of behavioral components and their brain correlates, behavioral addiction, and therapeutic applications will be desired.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.123-129
• /
• 2009

Taste is associated with hedonic evaluation as well as recognition of quality and intensity. Taste information is sent to the cortical gustatory area in a chemotopical manner to be processed for discrimination of taste quality. It is also conveyed to the reward system and feeding center via the prefrontal cortices. The amygdala, which receives taste inputs, also influences reward and feeding. In terms of neuroactive substances, palatability is closely related to benzodiazepine derivatives and $\beta$-endorphin, both of which facilitate consumption of food and fluid. The reward system contains the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum and finally sends information to the lateral hypothalamic area, the feeding center. The dopaminergic system originating from the ventral tegmental area mediates the motivation to consume palatable food. The actual ingestive behavior is promoted by the orexigenic neuropeptides from the hypothalamus. Even palatable food can become aversive and avoided as a consequence of postingestional unpleasant experience such as malaise. The brain mechanism of these aspects of taste is elucidated.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.183-189
• /
• 1992

Effect of the standardized ginseng extract(G115) on the central monoaminergic systems were investigated in comparison with that of halcperidol in rats. Immediately after sacrificed by decapitation, the strlata and frontal cortex were removerl. Concentations of the monoamines dopamine and serctorLin and their metabolites were deterinintd by HPLC-EC. G115 increased the concentration of 5-HIAA and DOPAC/UA ratio in striatum. However, dopaminrrgic neuronal activities were not affected by G115 that decreased the concentratio,Is of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in frontal cortex. G115 in combination with apomorphine significantly irlcreased the concentration of DA and S-HT but decreased the DO PAC/DA ratio and 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio only in frontal cortex. These results suggest that G115 like HPD inhibits the activity of nigrostriatal dopamine neuron in striatum. However, unlike HPD it activates central monoaminergic neuron activity in frontal cortex.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.163-171
• /
• 2006

This paper introduces the research progress on the artificial brain in the Telerobotics and Control Laboratory at KAIST. This series of studies is based on the assumption that it will be possible to develop an artificial intelligence by copying the mechanisms of the animal brain. Two important brain mechanisms are considered: spike-timing dependent plasticity and dopaminergic plasticity. Each mechanism is implemented in two coding paradigms: spike-codes and rate-codes. Spike-timing dependent plasticity is essential for self-organization in the brain. Dopamine neurons deliver reward signals and modify the synaptic efficacies in order to maximize the predicted reward. This paper addresses how artificial intelligence can emerge by the synergy between self-organization and reinforcement learning. For implementation issues, the rate codes of the brain mechanisms are developed to calculate the neuron dynamics efficiently.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.17-24
• /
• 2008

Periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) are best described as repetitive stereotypical movements of the lower extremities characterized by dorsiflexion of the ankle, dorsiflexion of the toes and a partial flexion of the knee and sometimes the hip. The prevalence of PLMS is about 5-11% in adults and is predicted much higher than previously surveyed. They are also frequently found in various sleep disorders, several disorders not primarily affecting sleep, and patients taking psychiatric medications. Although they are rarely found in children, they are common findings in children referred to a pediatric sleep laboratory. The pathophysiology is strongly associated with decline of central dopaminergic function and closely related to arousal system during sleep. Benzodiazepines, levodopa, dopamine agonists and opioids are generally recommended for treatment but more controlled studies on the effectiveness are needed.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.406-410
• /
• 2013

Tetrahyropapaveroline (THP) is compound derived from dopamine metabolism and is capable of causing dopaminergic neurodegenerative disorder, such as Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of THP to cause oxidative damage on the structure of cytochrome c (cyt c). Our data showed that THP led to protein aggregation and the formation of carbonyl compound in protein aggregates. THP also induced the release of iron from cyt c. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers and iron specific chelator inhibited the THP-mediated cyt c modification and carbonyl compound formation. The results of this study show that ROS may play a critical role in THP-induced cyt c modification and iron releasing of cyt c. When cyt c that has been exposed to THP was subsequently analyzed by amino acid analysis, lysine, histidine and methionine residues were particularly sensitive. It is suggested that oxidative damage of cyt c by THP might induce the increase of iron content in cells and subsequently led to the deleterious condition. This mechanism is associated with the deterioration of organs under neurodegenerative disorder such as PD.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.43 no.5
• /
• pp.682-688
• /
• 1999

Abuse liability of ephedrine was investigated by measurement of locomotor activity and self-administration in Sprague-Dawley rats. Locomotor activity was determined in rats treated with 3, 10 and 30 mg/kg ephedrine for 14 days. Self-administration by ephedrine (0.23, 1 and 2.3 mg/kg) was examined in food-trained rats. We also examined effect of dopamine receptor antagonist (spiperone, $30{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/kg$) on the ephedrine-induced response of self-administration. Body weight was not statistically difference between control and ephedrine treatment group, but locomotor activity was dose-dependently increased. Self-administration for ephedrine was decreased in the early response (day 1 and 2) but the response was increased by higher dose of ephedrine. Self-administration was decreased by dopamine receptor antagonist (spiperone). These data showed that ephedrine increased locomotor activity and induced response of self-administration, and the effects of ephedrine were partially related to the dopaminergic system, which suggest the ephedrine may have abuse liability.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.152-157
• /
• 2007

Imaging of the dopamine transporter (DAT) provides a marker for the integrity of presynaptic nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. DAT density is reduced in Parkinson disease, multiple system atrophy, and progressive supranuclear palsy. In patients with suspicious parkinsonism, normal DAT imaging suggests an alternative diagnosis such as essential tremor, vascular parkinsonism, or drug-induced parkinsonism. DAT imaging is a useful tool to aid clinician's differential diagnosis in parkinsonism.