• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.177-186
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• 2004

Introduction : Recent studies Suggested that there is a strong correlation between acupuncture stimulation and its related cortical activation. Anther study showed that either positive or negative BOLD effects could be observed depending on anatomical structure in acupuncture stimulation. In ttis study, we investigated a new acupoint $KI_6$ (照海), which was known as motor-related acupoint and obtained an evidence that the stimulation of $KI_6$ resulted in either negative or positive BOLD response to stimulation. Methods & Results : 1. Subjects and paradigms : Two separate stimulation paradigms were performed on five healthy (aged 22-23 yrs) in this study. First, the paradigm of acupuncture stimulation was that the acupuncture needle was inserted in acupoints $KI_6$, which is located in lateral side of the foot and then continuously twisted(補瀉를 除外한 捻轉法) for 70 seconds for 10 cycles of activation. During rest period (70 seconds), the needle was completed removed from acupoint. Total 60 cycles were performed and 10 images were obtained per cycle. Second, nonacupoint was randomly selected and the same paradigm was performed as acupoint stimulation. The stimulation protocol comprised 10 cycles of alternating. activation and rest (10 images per cycle). Total 60 cycles were performed and each cycle take about 1.5 sec for motor task. Subjects take an at least 15 minutes break before starting anther paradigm. 2. fMRI mapping : Multi-slice functional images were obtained on a 1.5T Magnetom Vision MRI scanner (Simens Medical, Erlangen, Germany) equipped with high performance whole-body gradients. The BOLD T2 * - weighted images were acquired with acho planar imaging sequence (TR = 1.2 sec, TE = 60 msec, and flip angle = $90_{\circ}$). The other sequence parameter are : FOV = 210 mm, matrix=$64{\times}128$ or $64{\times}64$, slice number=10 and slice thickness = 5 or 8 mm. the anatomic images were obtained with Spin-echo T1-weighted images. The resulting images were then anaiyzed with STIMULATE (CMRR, U. of Minnesota) to generate functional maps using a student T-test (p < 0.005) and cluster analysis. Both positive and negative response were evaluated. Conclusions : We have observed the activation of the motor cortex by stimulating motor-related acupoint ($KI_6$). Among five subjects, negative BOLD response was shown in four and positive response in one. All subjects showed positive response to conventional finger flexion-extension task. To understand the detailed mechanisms of correlation between acupuncture stimulation and BOLD fMRI changes and two typs of response, further study strongly required.

• 대한디지털의료영상학회논문지
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.63-68
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• 2013

Purpose : The relaxation times of tissue in MRI depend on strength of magnetic field, morphology of nuclear, viscosity, size of molecules and temperature. This study intended to analyze quantitatively that materials' temperatures have effects on T1 and T2 relaxation times without changing of other conditions. Materials and Methods : The equipment was used MAGNETOM SKYRA of 3.0T(SIEMENS, Erlagen, Germany), 32 channel spine coil and Gd-DTPA water concentration phantom. To find out T1 relaxation time, Inversion Recovery Spin Echo sequences were used at 50, 400, 1100, 2500 ms of TI. To find out T2 relaxation time, Multi Echo Spin Echo sequences were used at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270 ms of TE. This experiment was scanned with 5 steps from 25 to $45^{\circ}C$. next, using MRmap(Messroghli, BMC Medical Imaging, 2012) T1 and T2 relaxation times were mapped. on the Piview STAR v5.0(Infinitt, Seoul, Korea) 5 steps were measured as the same ROI, and then mean values were calculated. Correlation between the temperatures and relaxation times were analyzed by SPSS(version 17.0, Chicago, IL, USA). Results : According to increase of temperatures, T1 relaxation times were $214.39{\pm}0.25$, $236.02{\pm}0.87$, $267.47{\pm}0.48$, $299.44{\pm}0.64$, $330.19{\pm}1.72$ ms. T2 relaxation times were $180.17{\pm}0.27$, $197.17{\pm}0.44$, $217.92{\pm}0.39$, $239.89{\pm}0.53$, $257.40{\pm}1.77$ ms. With the correlation analysis, the correlation coefficients of T1 and T2 relaxation times were statistically significant at 0.998 and 0.999 (p< 0.05). Conclusion : T1 and T2 relaxation times are increased as temperature of tissue goes up. In conclusion, we suggest to recognize errors of relaxation time caused local temperature's differences, and consider external factors as well in the quantitative analysis of relaxation time or clinical tests.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.880-889
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the regional amyloid burden and myocardial deformation using T1 mapping and strain values in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA) according to late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) patterns. Materials and Methods: Forty patients with CA were divided into 2 groups per LGE pattern, and 15 healthy subjects were enrolled. Global and regional native T1 and T2 mapping, extracellular volume (ECV), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-feature tracking strain values were compared in an intergroup and interregional manner. Results: Of the patients with CA, 32 had diffuse global LGE (group 2), and 8 had focal patchy or no LGE (group 1). Global native T1, T2, and ECV were significantly higher in groups 1 and 2 than in the control group (native T1: 1384.4 ms vs. 1466.8 ms vs. 1230.5 ms; T2: 53.8 ms vs. 54.2 ms vs. 48.9 ms; and ECV: 36.9% vs. 51.4% vs. 26.0%, respectively; all, p < 0.001). Basal ECV (53.7%) was significantly higher than the mid and apical ECVs (50.1% and 50.0%, respectively; p < 0.001) in group 2. Basal and mid peak radial strains (PRSs) and peak circumferential strains (PCSs) were significantly lower than the apical PRS and PCS, respectively (PRS, 15.6% vs. 16.7% vs. 26.9%; and PCS, -9.7% vs. -10.9% vs. -15.0%; all, p < 0.001). Basal ECV and basal strain (2-dimensional PRS) in group 2 showed a significant negative correlation (r = -0.623, p < 0.001). Group 1 showed no regional ECV differences (basal, 37.0%; mid, 35.9%; and apical, 38.3%; p = 0.184). Conclusion: Quantitative T1 mapping parameters such as native T1 and ECV may help diagnose early CA. ECV, in particular, can reflect regional differences in the amyloid deposition in patients with advanced CA, and increased basal ECV is related to decreased basal strain. Therefore, quantitative CMR parameters may help diagnose CA and determine its severity in patients with or without LGE.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.157-160
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• 2019

Purpose: We compared the activation pattern of the mirror neurons (MN) between two types of hand movement according to action observation using functional MRI. Methods: Twelve right-handed healthy subjects (5 male and 7 female, mean age $21.92{\pm}2.02years$) participated in the experiment. During fMRI scanning, subjects underwent two different stimuli on the screen: 1) video clips showing repeated grasping and releasing of the ball via simple hand movement (SHM), and (2) video clips showing an actor performing a Purdue Pegboard test via complex hand movement (CHM). paired t-test in statistical parametric mapping (SPM) was used to compare the activation differences between the two types of hand movement. Results: CHM as compared with the SHM produced a higher blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal response in the right superior frontal gyrus, left inferior and superior parietal lobules, and lingual gyrus. However, no greater BOLD signal response was found by SHM compared with CHM (FWE corrected, p<0.05). Conclusion: Our findings provided that the activation patterns for observation of SHM and CHM are different. CHM also elicited boarder or stronger activations in the brain, including inferior parietal lobule called the MN region.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제10권2호
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• pp.286-294
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• 2010

기능적 자기공명영상법(fMRI)을 이용하여 일반 감각 자극과 다른 간지럼 자극 과제를 수행 할 때 대뇌 감각중추 신경 연결망을 규명하고, 간지럼이 웃음의 기전과 어떤 차이가 있는지를 알아보고자 하였다. 건강한 성인 남녀 16명(평균 : 28.9세)을 대상으로 두 종류의 감각 자극 과제 수행동안 3.0T 자기공명영상장치를 사용하여 기능적 자기공명영상을 얻었다. 감각 자극은 피험자마다 역균형화하여 제시되었으며, 블록 설계로 자극 제시와 영상 획득이 이루어졌다. 획득된 영상 데이터는 SPM 99 분석하였으며, 개별 분석과 그룹 분석을 실시하였다. 개별 분석 결과 두 과제 모두 체감각 영역의 활성화가 관찰되었고, 간지럼 자극 조건은 감각자극 조건에 비해 베리니케 영역(BA40)에서 더 많은 활성화를 보였다. 또한, 그룹 분석결과 일반 감각 조건에서는 양쪽 체감각 피질 영역(BA 1,2,3)이 활성화되었으며, 간지럼 조건에서는 양쪽 체감각 피질 뿐만 아니라 시상, 대상회, 대뇌섬엽 영역에서 커다란 활성화를 보였다. 간지럼 자극에서 감각자극을 뺀 결과에서는 우측 대상회와 좌측 MFG 영역 및 좌측섬엽 에서 유의미한 활성화를 보였다. 촉각을 통한 간지럼자극을 인지하는 대뇌영역에 대해 검증하였고, 간지럼과 같은 가장 원초적인 자극이 다양한 사회적 활동에서 중요한 기능을 담당하는 웃음과 밀접한 관련이 있음을 알 수 있었다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.30-35
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• 2005

목적 : 본 논문은 뇌 기능 자기공명영상(Brain Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Brain fMRI)을 이용하여 짠 맛 자극에 대한 인지활동으로 뇌 신경세포의 활성화에 따른 국소 대사 및 혈류역학적 변화가 일어나는 뇌 영역을 분석 및 가시화함으로써 맛에 대한 뇌 활성화 부위의 기초자료를 마련하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 건강한 비흡연 남자 12명을 대상으로 1.5T MRI 장치에서 혈액산소수준의존(Blood Oxygen Level Dependent, 이하 BOLD) 방법을 이용한 fMRI 실험을 수행하여 인간의 미각 중 짠맛에 대한 반응을 관찰하였다. 잔 맛의 자극은 $3\%$ 농도의 소금물(NaCl)을 미각 자극기를 이용하여 혀 전체에 자극을 주었다. 미각 자극기인 Auto Syringe Pump는 일정한 자극을 반복적으로 가할 수 있도록 마이크로프로세서를 이용하여 연구실에서 자체 제작되었다. 자극의 패러다임은 5회의 휴식기간과 4회의 자극기간으로 구성되었으며, 자극기간은 15초씩 진행되고 휴식기간은 30초로 하여 각 slice당 42 영상을 연속적으로 획득하였다. 자극에 대해 얻은 fMRI 영상은 SPM99'(Statistical Parametric Mapping, UCL)를 이용하여 분석하였다. 활성화 영상은 EPI 영상과 동일한 부위의 T1 강조영상에 registration 기법을 이용하여 overlapping시켜 활성화 부위의 해부학적 판별을 용이하도록 하였다. 결과 : 농도 $3\%$ 소금물의 짠맛 자극에 대해서 insula, amygdala, frontal opercular taste cortex (OFC), orbitofrontal cortex 영역에서 활성화 영역을 fMRI로 확인하였으며, dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) 영역에서도 유효한 신호를 관찰하였다. 결론 : 본 연구의 결과는 미각의 주요 신경이 뇌의 insula, OFC 그리고 DLPFC 영역에 주로 분포한다는 기존의 결과와 잘 일치하고 있다. 마이크로 프로세서로 동작하는 자동펌프를 미각 자극기로 사용함으로써 미각자극에 대한 뇌의 활성화 영역을 안정되게 관찰할 수 있었다. 본 연구의 결과는 fMRI를 이용한 고차원적 미각작용 과정 연구에 튼튼한 밑거름이 될 것으로 생각된다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권10호
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• pp.1619-1627
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• 2021

Objective: This study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) with those of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and healthy controls (HCs). Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 35 patients with PA, in addition to 35 age- and sex-matched patients with EH, and 35 age- and sex-matched HCs, all of whom underwent comprehensive clinical and cardiac MRI examinations. The analysis of variance was used to detect the differences in the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling among the three groups. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between left ventricular remodeling and the physiological variables. Results: The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 85.1 ± 13.0 mL/m² for PA, 75.9 ± 14.3 mL/m² for EH, and 77.3 ± 12.8 mL/m² for HC; p = 0.010), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (ESVi) (mean ± SD: 35.2 ± 9.8 mL/m² for PA, 30.7 ± 8.1 mL/m² for EH, and 29.5 ± 7.0 mL/m² for HC; p = 0.013), left ventricular mass index (mean ± SD: 65.8 ± 16.5 g/m² for PA, 56.9 ± 12.1 g/m² for EH, and 44.1 ± 8.9 g/m² for HC; p < 0.001), and native T1 (mean ± SD: 1224 ± 39 ms for PA, 1201 ± 47 ms for EH, and 1200 ± 44 ms for HC; p = 0.041) values were higher in the PA group compared to the EH and HC groups. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that log (plasma aldosterone-to-renin ratio) was independently correlated with EDVi and ESVi. Plasma aldosterone was independently correlated with native T1. Conclusion: Patients with PA showed a greater degree of ventricular hypertrophy and enlargement, as well as myocardial fibrosis, compared to those with EH. Cardiac MRI T1 mapping can detect left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with PA.

• 대한자기공명의과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한자기공명의과학회 2001년도 제6차 학술대회 초록집
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• pp.111-111
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• 2001

목적： To evaluate the feasibility of the event-related functional MR study using power grip studying the hand motor system 대상 및 방법： Event-related functional MRI was performed on a 1.5T MR unit in seven norm volunteers (man=7, right-handedness=2, left-handedness=5, mean age： 25 years). A single-shot GRE-EPI sequence (TR/TE/flip angle： 1000ms/40ms/90, FOV = 240 mm matrix= 64$\times$64, slice thickness/gap = 5mm/0mm, 7 true axial slices) was used for functiona MR images. A flow-sensitive conventional gradient echo sequence (TR/TE/flip angl 50ms/4ms/60) was used for high-resolution anatomical images. To minimize the gross hea motion, neck-holders (MJ-200, USA) were used. A series of MR images were obtained in axial planes covering motor areas. To exclude motion-corrupted images, all MR images wer surveyed in a movie procedure and evaluated using the estimation of center of mass of ima signal intensities. Power grip task consisted of the powerful grip of all right fingers and hand movement ta used very fast right finger tapping at a speed of 3 per 1 second. All tasks were visual-guid by LCD projector (SHARP, Japan). Two tasks consisted of 134 phases including 7 activatio and 8 rest periods. Active stimulations were performed during 2 seconds and rest period were 15 seconds and total scan time per one task was 2 min 14 sec. Statistical maps we obtained using cross-correlation method. Reference vector was time-shifted by 4 seconds an Gaussian convolution with a FWHM of 4 seconds was applied to it. The threshold in p val for the activation sites was set to be 0.001. All mapping procedures were peformed usin homemade program an IDL (Research Systems Inc., USA) platform. We evaluated the activation patterns of the motor system of power grip compared to hand movement in t event-related functional MRI.

• 한국자기공명학회논문지
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.93-102
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• 2005

Purpose: To develop an advanced non-linear curve fitting (NLCF) algorithm for dynamic susceptibility contrast study of brain. Materials and Methods: The first pass effects give rise to spuriously high estimates of $K^{trans}$ in voxels with large vascular components. An explicit threshold value has been used to reject voxels. Results: By using this non-linear curve fitting algorithm, the blood perfusion and the volume estimation were accurately evaluated in T2*-weighted dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MR images. From the recalculated each parameters, perfusion weighted image were outlined by using modified non-linear curve fitting algorithm. This results were improved estimation of T2*-weighted dynamic series. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated an improvement of an estimation of kinetic parameters from dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging data, using contrast agents. The advanced kinetic models include the relation of volume transfer constant $K^{trans}\;(min^{-1})$ and the volume of extravascular extracellular space (EES) per unit volume of tissue $\nu_e$.

• 대한자기공명의과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한자기공명의과학회 2003년도 제8차 학술대회 초록집
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• pp.26-26
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• 2003

목적： 본 연구의 목적은 미각자극에 대한 인간 뇌의 활성화 영역을 측정하고 가시화하여 미각의 뇌 활성화 부위에 대한 기초자료를 마련하는데 있다. 대상 및 방법： 5명의 남자 대학생 (평균 24.8세)을 뇌기능 연구의 실험 대상자로 선정하였고, 대상자들은 미각에 이상이 없고 구강수술 경험이 없는 오른손잡이를 대상으로 3번에 걸쳐 EPI 혈액산 소농도의존(blood oxygen level dependent)법을 이용하여 미각자극에 의한 기능적 자기공명영상 실험을 수행하였다. 미각 자극을 위하여 5％의 saline을 사용하였으며 자체적으로 제작한 Stimulator를 사용하여 자극하였다. 자극은 3회의 휴식기간과 2회의 자극기간에 걸쳐 시행하였으며, 각 자극기간은 30초씩 5초 간격으로 이스 당 42개의 영상을 획득했다. Post-processing은 SPM99 (Statistical Parametric Mapping 99, The Wellcome Department of Cognitive Neurology, Oxford 1999)의 correlation법을 사용하여 threshold 0.4∼0.7의 범위에서 통계처리 하였으며, 활성화 영상은 EPI영상과 같은 부위의 T1 강조영상에 overlapping시켰다. 이렇게 얻어진 fMRI 영상으로 활성 영역의 위치를 분석하였다.