• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.197-209
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• 2024

Objectives: In this functional magnetic resonance imaging study, we aimed to investigate the differences in brain activation between individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and typically developing (TD) individuals during perspective taking. We also examined the association between brain activation and empathic and interoceptive abilities. Methods: During scanning, participants from the ASD (n=17) and TD (n=22) groups were shown pain stimuli and asked to rate the level of the observed pain from both self- and other-perspectives. Empathic abilities, including perspective taking, were measured using an empathic questionnaire, and three dimensions of interoception were assessed: interoceptive accuracy, interoceptive sensibility, and interoceptive trait prediction errors. Results: During self-perspective taking, the ASD group exhibited greater activation in the left precuneus than the TD group. During other-perspective taking, relative hyperactivation extended to areas including the right precuneus, right superior frontal gyrus, left caudate nucleus, and left amygdala. Brain activation levels in the right superior frontal gyrus while taking other-perspective were negatively correlated with interoceptive accuracy, and those in the left caudate were negatively correlated with perspective taking ability in the ASD group. Conclusion: Individuals with ASD show atypical brain activation during perspective taking. Notably, their brain regions associated with stress reactions and escape responses are overactivated when taking other-perspective. This overactivity is related to poor interoceptive accuracy, suggesting that individuals with ASD may experience difficulties with the self-other distinction or atypical embodiment when considering another person's perspective.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.77-82
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• 2011

Purpose: Recently, many studies have demonstrated that application of external stimulation can modulate cortical excitability of the human brain. We attempted to observe cortical excitability using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during the application of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) or functional electrical stimulation (FES). Methods: We recruited two healthy subjects without a history of neurological or psychiatric problems. fMRI scanning was done during? each constant anodal tDCS and FES session, and each session was repeated three times. The tDCS session consisted of three successive phases (resting phase: 60sec dummy cycle: 10sec tDCS phase: 60sec). The FES session involved stimulation of wrist extensor muscles over two successive phase (resting phase: 15sec FES phase: 15sec). Results: The average map of the tDCS and FES analyses showed that the primary sensory-motor cortex area was activated in all subjects. Conclusion: Our findings show that cortical activation can be induced by constant anodal tDCS and FES. They suggest that the above stimuli have the potential for facilitating brain plasticity and modulating neural excitability if applied as specific therapeutic interventions for brain injured patients.

• 한국정밀공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국정밀공학회 2004년도 추계학술대회 논문집
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• pp.1303-1306
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• 2004

We developed a symmetrical upper limb motion trainer for chronic hemiparetic subjects. This trainer enabled the practice of a forearm pronatio $n^ination and wrist flexion/extension. In this study, we have used functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) with the developed symmetrical upper limb motion device, to compare brain activation patterns elicited by flexion/extension wrist movements of control and hemiparetic subject group. In control group, contralateral somatosensory cortex(SMC) and bilateral cerebellum were activated by dominant hand movement(Task 1), while bilateral movements by dominant hand(Task 2) activated the SMC in both cerebral hemispheres and ipsilateral cerebellum. However, in hemiparetic subject group, contralateral supplymentary motor area(SMA) was activated by unaffected hand movement(Task 1), while the activation of bilateral movements by unaffected hand(Task 2) showed only SMA in the undamaged hemisphere. This study, demonstrating the ability to accurately measure activation in both sensory and motor cortex, is currently being extended to patients in clinical applications such as the recovery of motor function after stroke.ke.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.91-96
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• 2017

Purpose: To describe technical methods for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study with arterial spin labeling (ASL) compared to blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) technique and discuss the potential of ASL for research and clinical practice. Materials and Methods: Task-based (n = 1) and resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) (n = 20) were performed using ASL and BOLD techniques. Results of both techniques were compared. Results: For task-based fMRI with finger-tapping, the primary motor cortex of the contralateral frontal lobe and the ipsilateral cerebellum were activated by both BOLD and ASL fMRI. For rs-fMRI of sensorimotor network, functional connectivity showed similar results between BOLD and ASL. Conclusion: ASL technique has potential application in clinical and research fields because all brain perfusion imaging, CBF measurement, and rs-fMRI study can be performed in a single acquisition.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.203-209
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• 2010

Objectives : Increasing evidence suggests the presence of neurobiological bases for temperamental characteristics in humans. Brain correlates of harm avoidance(HA) have been most extensively studied using functional and structural brain imaging methods due to its potential link with anxiety and depressive disorders. To date, however, we are not aware of any reports that have examined the potential relationship between HA levels and regional cortical thickness. The aim of the current study is to examine the cortical thickness which is associated with HA temperament in healthy young subjects. Methods : Twenty-eight young, healthy individuals(13 men and 15 women, mean age, $29.4{\pm}6.3$ years) were screened for eligibility and administered the Korean version of the Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory and underwent high-resolution structural magnetic resonance imaging scanning. Results : HA was associated with cortical thickness in the right superior frontal cortex and in the left parietal cortex, adjusted for age and sex and corrected for multiple comparisons using the permutation testing method. Conclusion : Individual temperamental differences in HA are associated with structural variations in specific areas of the brain. The fact that these brain regions are involved in top-down modulations of subcortical fear reactions adds functional significance to current findings.

• 대한불안의학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.39-47
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• 2022

Objective : This study investigated brain functional connectivity in male firefighters who showed subclinical post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Methods : We compared the data of 17 firefighters who were not diagnosed with PTSD and 18 healthy controls who had no trauma exposure. The following instruments were applied to assess psychiatric symptoms: Korean version of the Post-traumatic stress disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5-K), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). For all subjects, functional magnetic resonance imaging was performed, and functional connectivity was compared between the two groups (family-wise error-corrected p<0.05). Additionally, correlations between psychiatric symptoms and functional connectivity were explored. Results : The following connectivity was higher than that of healthy controls: 1) the central opercular cortex-superior temporal gyrus, 2) planum polare-parahippocampal gyrus, 3) angular gyrus-amygdala, and 4) temporal fusiform cortex-parahippocampal gyrus. The functional connectivity of 1) the lateral occipital cortex-inferior temporal gyrus, 2) superior parietal lobule-caudate, and 3) middle temporal gyrus-thalamus were lower in firefighters. In firefighters, the connectivity of the planum polare-parahippocampal gyrus showed a negative correlation with the severity of arousal symptoms (rho=-0.586, p=0.013). The connectivity of the middle temporal gyrus-thalamus showed a positive correlation with the severity of intrusion (rho=0.552, p=0.022) and arousal symptoms (rho=0.619, p=0.008). The connectivity of the temporal fusiform cortex-parahippocampal gyrus was negatively correlated with intrusion (rho=-0.491, p=0.045) and arousal (rho=-0.579, p=0.015). Conclusion : Our results indicate that the brain functional connectivity is associated with occupational trauma exposure in firefighters without PTSD. Therefore, this study provides evidence that close monitoring and early intervention are important for firefighters with traumatic experience even at a subthreshold level.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.89-98
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• 2008

NIRS (Near-infrared Spectroscopy) and DOI (Diffuse Optical Imaging) are relatively new, non-invasive, and non-ionizing methods that measure or image optical properties (Scattering and Absorption Coefficient) and physiological properties (Water Fraction, concentration of Oxy-, Deoxy-Hemoglobin, Cytochrome Oxidase, etc) of biological tissues. In this paper, three different types of NIRS systems, mathematical modeling, and reconstruction algorithms are described. Also, recent applications such as functional brain imaging, optical mammography, NIRS based BMI (Brain-Machine Interface), and small animal study are reviewed.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.53-56
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• 2009

The authors report here a rare case of cerebellar schistosomiasis identified by pathological diagnosis, lacking extracranial involvement. The clinical symptoms included headache, dizziness, and nausea. Studies in blood were normal and no parasite eggs were detected in stool. Computed tomography of brains showed hypodense signal, and magnetic resonance imaging showed isointense signal on T1-weighted images, hyperintense signal on T2-weighted images, and intensely enhancing nodules in the right cerebellum after intravenous administration of gadolinium. A high-grade glioma was suspected, and an operation was performed. The pathologic examination of the biopsy specimen revealed schistosomal granulomas scattered within the parenchyma of the cerebellum. The definitive diagnosis was cerebellar schistosomiasis japonica. A standard use of praziquantel and corticosteroid drugs was applied, and the prognosis was good. When the pattern of imaging examinations is present as mentioned above, a diagnosis of brain schistosomiasis should be considered.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.152-156
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• 2014

We report on a patient who showed visual recovery following bilateral occipital lobe infarct, as evaluated by follow up functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT). A 56-year-old female patient exhibited severe visual impairment since onset of the cerebral infarct in the bilateral occipital lobes. The patient complained that she could not see anything, although the central part of the visual field remained dimly at 1 week after onset. However, her visual function has shown improvement with time. As a result, at 5 weeks after onset, she notified that her visual field and visual acuity had improved. fMRI and DTT were acquired at 1 week and 4 weeks after onset, using a 1.5-T Philips Gyroscan Intera. The fiber number of left optic radiation (OR) increased from 257 (1-week) to 353 (4-week), although the fiber numbers for right OR were similar. No activation in the occipital lobe was observed on 1-week fMRI. By contrast, activation of the visual cortex, including the bilateral primary visual cortex, was observed on 4-week fMRI. We demonstrated visual recovery in this patient in terms of the changes observed on DTT and fMRI. It appears that the recovery of the left OR was attributed more to resolution of local factors, such as peri-infarct edema, than brain plasticity.

• 수면정신생리
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.82-91
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• 2018

목 적 : 본 연구는 전 수면 주기 동안 수면단계에 따른 전체 뇌 영역과 수면 관련 뇌 영역들의 뇌기능 연결망의 변화를 살펴보기 위해 동기화된 뇌파(EEG)-자기기능공명영상(fMRI)를 전 수면 주기 동안 측정하고 신호처리 기법을 사용함으로 수면 단계에 따른 뇌 연결망의 탐구가 가능함을 살펴 보기 위해 수행되었다. 방 법 : 정상 성인 피험자 5인을 대상으로 6~7시간의 수면동안 MRI 기계 안에서 안전도, 심전도, 근전도와 EEG-fMRI를 측정하였고 EEG에 발생한 MRI 자장 변화 잡음과 심박관련 잡음을 제거하였다. fMRI에서는 피험자의 움직임에 의해 발생하는 영상 왜곡을 보정하는 부분볼륨활용기법을 제안하여 사용하였다. 잡음이 제거된 수면중 fMRI에 독립성분분석기법을 적용하여 뇌 전체를 68 영역으로 구획하여 수면 연구에 적합한 뇌 구획 지도를 만들고 이를 바탕으로 각 구획들간의 연결성을 계산하였다. 수면관련 뇌심부 영역을 선택하여 연결망 분석을 수행하였다. 결 과 : 뇌파를 비롯한 수면 생리적 신호들은 잡음 제거의 방법을 이용하게 되면 수면단계설정에 문제가 없으며 수면 단계별 뇌 연결망 연구가 가능함을 보여 주었다. 뇌연결망 분석에서 수면 관련 뇌심부 연결망은 렘과 비렘수면에 따라 다른 특성이 나타나는데 비렘수면에서 전반적으로 높은 연결성을 보였다. 대뇌를 포함한 전체 뇌 연결망의 경우 각성에 비해서 수면 중에 뇌 연결성이 떨어지는 양상을 보였다(Kolmogorov-Smirnov 검정 ; p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected). 결 론 : 본 연구를 통해서 장시간 수면 EEG-fMRI 측정과 수면단계설정이 가능하고 신호처리 기법을 통해서 보정하게 되면 뇌기능 연결망을 이용한 전체 수면 뇌 연구가 가능함을 시사한다.