• Title/Summary/Keyword: Neuro-Science

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Contributions of Psychology of Perception to Cognitive Science (인지과학의 지각 심리학적 기초)

  • Jung-OhKim
    • Korean Journal of Cognitive Science
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    • v.1 no.2
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    • pp.193-220
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    • 1989
  • Major research themes, concepts, methodologies, and phenomena in the psychology of perception are reviewed in the present paper with an eye to exploring its possible contributions to methodological as well as theoretical development in cognitive science are proposed in this paper:Computational, intentional-descriptive, and eclectic. An emphasis is placed on how to propose issues in the psychology of perception from cognitive science views.Also explored in detail are possible ways to promote fruitful interactions among several fields in cognitive science, e.g., artificial intelligence, perceptual-cognitive psychology, and neuro-science.One approach is to consider psychology of perception's basic concepts, methodologies, and phenomena that call for the attention of researchers in neighboring fields in cognitive science.Finally discussed is what perception researchers should do in adoptiong a much briader view of perceptual structure and processes, that is, a cognitive science view.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Metformin on Neuro-inflammation and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in BV-2 Microglial Cells

  • Ha, Ji-Sun;Yeom, Yun-Seon;Jang, Ju-Hun;Kim, Yong-Hee;Im, Ji In;Kim, In Sik;Yang, Seung-Ju
    • Biomedical Science Letters
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.92-98
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    • 2019
  • Metformin is a drug used for the treatment of diabetes and is associated with anti-inflammatory reaction, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of metformin on the inflammatory response in BV-2 microglial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8). The results revealed that metformin significantly attenuated several inflammatory responses in BV-2 microglial cells, including the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6, involved in the activation of Beclin-1, a crucial regulator of autophagy. In addition, metformin inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK. Metformin also suppressed the activation of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasomes composed of NLRP3, caspase-1, and apoptosis-associated speck like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, which are involved in the innate immune response. Notably, metformin decreased the secretion of S100A8-induced IL-6 production. These findings suggest that metformin alleviates the neuroinflammatory response via autophagy activation.

A Review on Brain Study Methods in Elementary Science Education - A Focus on the fMRl Method - (초등 과학 교육에서 두뇌 연구 방법의 고찰 - fMRI 활용법을 중심으로 -)

  • Shin, Dong-Hoon;Kwon, Yong-Ju
    • 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.

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The potential of mesenchymal stem cells derived from amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid for neuronal regenerative therapy

  • Kim, Eun Young;Lee, Kyung-Bon;Kim, Min Kyu
    • BMB Reports
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    • v.47 no.3
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    • pp.135-140
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    • 2014
  • The mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are derived from the mesoderm, are considered as a readily available source for tissue engineering. They have multipotent differentiation capacity and can be differentiated into various cell types. Many studies have demonstrated that the MSCs identified from amniotic membrane (AM-MSCs) and amniotic fluid (AF-MSCs) are shows advantages for many reasons, including the possibility of noninvasive isolation, multipotency, self-renewal, low immunogenicity, anti-inflammatory and nontumorigenicity properties, and minimal ethical problem. The AF-MSCs and AM-MSCs may be appropriate sources of mesenchymal stem cells for regenerative medicine, as an alternative to embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Recently, regenerative treatments such as tissue engineering and cell transplantation have shown potential in clinical applications for degenerative diseases. Therefore, amnion and MSCs derived from amnion can be applied to cell therapy in neuro-degeneration diseases. In this review, we will describe the potential of AM-MSCs and AF-MSCs, with particular focus on cures for neuronal degenerative diseases.

Neuroprotective Effects of Scopoletin on Neuro-damage caused by Alcohol in Primary Hippocampal Neurons

  • Lee, Jina;Cho, Hyun-Jeong
    • Biomedical Science Letters
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.57-65
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    • 2020
  • Excessive drinking of alcohol is known to be one of the main causes of various neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Scopoletin is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, and to protect nerve cells. This study examined whether scopoletin inhibits the alcohol-induced apoptosis of primary hippocampal neurons, and how scopoletin regulates several factors associated with the caspase-mediated pathway. To achieve this, the cell viability and apoptosis rate of primary hippocampal neurons were measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry, respectively. Apoptosis-related protein expressions (Bax, Bid, caspase-3, caspase-9, and Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)) were analyzed by Western blotting, and the ANOVA method was used to confirm the significance of the measured results. As a result, scopoletin inhibited the expressions of alcohol-induced apoptosis and apoptosis-related proteins in primary hippocampal neurons. These results suggest that down-regulation of Bid, Bax, and cleaved caspase-9 expression induced by scopoletin down-regulates the expression of cleaved caspase-3, inhibits the expression of cleaved PARP, and finally, inhibits mitochondrial apoptotic pathways. The study suggests that scopoletin is worth developing as a candidate for neuroprotective agent.

Ophthalmic Manifestations of Cavernous Sinus Syndrome in a Yorkshire Terrier Dog

  • Sehan Shin;Sol Kim;Seonmi Kang;Jihye Choi;Kangmoon Seo
    • Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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    • v.40 no.5
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    • pp.360-364
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    • 2023
  • A 7-year-old castrated male Yorkshire Terrier presented for a palpable mass of the right neck with ophthalmic signs of conjunctival hyperemia and anisocoria with fixed mydriatic pupil of the right eye. Clinical examination findings included the absence of direct and consensual pupillary light reflexes, external and internal ophthalmoplegia, and corneal hypoesthesia with incomplete blinking of the right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography revealed a mass extending from the right cavernous sinus to the orbital fissure with neighboring bone lysis. Cytological examination of fine-needle aspiration samples of the mass revealed a neuroendocrine tumor. The owner declined further diagnosis and did not wish to care for the dog receiving chemotherapy. This study describes the importance of investigating neuro-ophthalmic findings, which might provide clues for the localization of lesions, including tumors, to aid in diagnosis.

High Throughput-compatible Screening of Anti-oxidative Substances by Insect Extract Library (약용곤충추출물 라이브러리를 이용한 항산화 활성의 초고속 검색)

  • Park, Ja-Young;Heo, Jin-Chul;An, Sang-Mi;Yun, Eun-Young;Han, Sang-Mi;Hwang, Jae-Sam;Kang, Seok-Woo;Yun, Chi-Young;Lee, Sang-Han
    • Food Science and Preservation
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    • v.12 no.5
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    • pp.482-488
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    • 2005
  • Oxidant stress is well-known for a pivotal parameter related to neuro-inflammatory diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). In order to effectively screen for anti-inflammatory agents, we first established the infrastructure of high throughput screening for anti-oxidant agents from medicinal insect library extracted with water, methanol, ethanol, and dimethyl sulfoxide. By the screening system, we found that Tenodera angustipennis Saussure, Pyrocoela rupa Olivier and Papilio maackii Mntris had strong anti-oxidant activity. Moreover, Tenodera angustipennis Saussure and Tenodera aridifolia (Stoll) exhibited protection effects of cellular damage by treatment of an oxidant hydrogen peroxide. Together, the results suggest that some selected hits could be a potential agent against neuro-inflammation, although the in vivo studies should be clearly tested.

A Novel Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine Induces Heme Oxygenase-1 and Exerts Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Effects

  • Lee, Ji Ae;Kwon, Young-Won;Kim, Hye Ri;Shin, Nari;Son, Hyo Jin;Cheong, Chan Seong;Kim, Dong Jin;Hwang, Onyou
    • Molecules and Cells
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    • v.45 no.3
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    • pp.134-147
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    • 2022
  • The anti-oxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is known to exert anti-inflammatory effects. From a library of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines, we identified a novel compound KKC080096 that upregulated HO-1 at the mRNA and protein levels in microglial BV-2 cells. KKC080096 exhibited anti-inflammatory effects via suppressing nitric oxide, interleukin1β (IL-1β), and iNOS production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-challenged cells. It inhibited the phosphorylation of IKK and MAP kinases (p38, JNK, ERK), which trigger inflammatory signaling, and whose activities are inhibited by HO-1. Further, KKC080096 upregulated anti-inflammatory marker (Arg1, YM1, CD206, IL-10, transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β]) expression. In 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridinetreated mice, KKC080096 lowered microglial activation, protected the nigral dopaminergic neurons, and nigral damage-associated motor deficits. Next, we elucidated the mechanisms by which KKC080096 upregulated HO-1. KKC080096 induced the phosphorylation of AMPK and its known upstream kinases LKB1 and CaMKKbeta, and pharmacological inhibition of AMPK activity reduced the effects of KKC080096 on HO-1 expression and LPS-induced NO generation, suggesting that KKC080096-induced HO-1 upregulation involves LKB1/AMPK and CaMKKbeta/AMPK pathway activation. Further, KKC080096 caused an increase in cellular Nrf2 level, bound to Keap1 (Nrf2 inhibitor protein) with high affinity, and blocked Keap1-Nrf2 interaction. This Nrf2 activation resulted in concurrent induction of HO-1 and other Nrf2-targeted antioxidant enzymes in BV-2 and in dopaminergic CATH.a cells. These results indicate that KKC080096 is a potential therapeutic for oxidative stress-and inflammation-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

A Characteristic EEG Pattern of Angelman Syndrome

  • Yoon, Joong-Soo;Song, Woon-Heung;Choi, Hwa-Sik
    • Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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    • v.42 no.2
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    • pp.97-102
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    • 2010
  • The two new female cases of Angelman syndrome (AS) were described, which diagnosed on the basis of clinical features (dysmorphic facial features, severe mental retardation with absent speech, peculiar jerky movements, ataxic gait and paroxysms of inappropriate laughter) and neurophysiological findings. Failure to detect the deletion of the long arm of chromosome 15 or the absence of epileptic seizure were not considered sufficient to exclude a diagnosis of AS. Feeding problems, developmental delay and early signs of ataxia, especially tremor on handling objects and unstable posture when seated, proved effective as the clinical markers for early diagnosis of AS. Most of the authors agreed about the existence of three main EEG patterns in AS which may appear in isolation or in various combinations in the same patient. The most frequently observed pattern in children has prolonged runs of high amplitude rhythmic 2-3 Hz activity predominantly over the frontal region with superimposed interictal epileptiform discharges. High amplitude rhythmic 4-6 Hz activity, prominent in the occipital regions, with spikes, which can be facilitated by eye closure, is often seen in children under the age of 12 years. The EEG findings are characteristic of AS when seen in the appropriate clinical context and can be helpful to identify AS patients at an early age when genetic counselling may be particularly important.

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