• 생물정신의학
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.63-77
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• 2015

Objectives The combination extract of four kinds of herbs, Gastrodia elata, Liriope platyphylla, Dimocarpus longan, and Salvia miltiorrhiza, has shown to have memory improving effects in mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of the herbal mixture for improving working memory as well as microstructural changes in white matter integrity in individuals with subjective memory complaints. Methods Seventy-five individuals with subjective memory complaints were assigned to receive either placebo (n = 15) or herbal mixture (low-dose group, n = 30 and high-dose group, n = 30) supplementation in an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Changes in working memory performance and fractional anisotropy (FA) values reflecting white matter integrity from baseline to 8-week endpoint were assessed. Results The herbal mixture group showed an increase in working memory performance compared to the placebo group (p for interaction = 0.001). In addition, the herbal mixture group showed an increase in FA values in the temporo-parietal regions (corrected p < 0.05), which are crucially involved in working memory function and are among the most affected regions in patients with cognitive impairments. Conclusions Findings from this study indicate that the herbal mixture may be a promising therapeutic option for individuals with subjective memory complaints.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.97-109
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• 2021

Neonatal hypoxia/ischemia (H/I), injures white matter, results in neuronal loss, disturbs myelin formation, and neural network development. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress have been reported in neonatal hypoxic brain injuries. We investigated whether Paeoniflorin treatment reduced H/I-induced inflammation and oxidative stress and improved white matter integrity in a neonatal rodent model. Seven-day old Sprague-Dawley pups were exposed to H/I. Paeoniflorin (6.25, 12.5, or 25 mg/kg body weight) was administered every day via oral gavage from postpartum day 3 (P3) to P14, and an hour before induction of H/I. Pups were sacrificed 24 h (P8) and 72 h (P10) following H/I. Paeoniflorin reduced the apoptosis of neurons and attenuated cerebral infarct volume. Elevated expression of cleaved caspase-3 and Bad were regulated. Paeoniflorin decreased oxidative stress by lowering levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species generation and while, and it enhanced glutathione content. Microglial activation and the TLR4/NF-κB signaling were significantly down-regulated. The degree of inflammatory mediators (interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor-α) were reduced. Paeoniflorin markedly prevented white matter injury via improving expression of myelin binding protein and increasing O1-positive olidgodendrocyte and O4-positive oligodendrocyte counts. The present investigation demonstrates the potent protective efficiency of paeoniflorin supplementation against H/I-induced brain injury by effectually preventing neuronal loss, microglial activation, and white matter injury via reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.271-279
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• 2019

Background: We utilized diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to evaluate the cerebral white matter changes that are associated with phantom limb pain in patients with unilateral arm amputation. It was anticipated that this would complement previous research in which we had shown that changes in cerebral blood volume were associated with the cerebral pain network. Methods: Ten patients with phantom limb pain due to unilateral arm amputation and sixteen healthy age-matched controls were enrolled. The intensity of phantom limb pain was measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and depressive mood was assessed by the Hamilton depression rating scale. Diffusion tensor-derived parameters, including fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity (AD), and radial diffusivity (RD), were computed from the DTI. Results: Compared with controls, the cases had alterations in the cerebral white matter as a consequence of phantom limb pain, manifesting a higher AD of white matter in both hemispheres symmetrically after adjusting for individual depressive moods. In addition, there were associations between the RD of white matter and VAS scores primarily in the hemispheres related to the missing hand and in the corpus callosum. Conclusions: The phantom limb pain after unilateral arm amputation induced plasticity in the white matter. We conclude that loss of white matter integrity, particularly in the hemisphere connected with the missing hand, is significantly correlated with phantom limb pain.

• 생물정신의학
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.78-86
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• 2015

Objectives Although ginseng has been reported to protect neuronal cells and improve various cognitive functions, relationship between ginseng supplementation and response inhibition, one of the important cognitive domains has not been explored. In addition, effects of ginseng on in vivo human brain have not been investigated using the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The purpose of the current study is to investigate changes in intrusion errors and white matter microstructure after Korean Red Ginseng supplementation using standardized neuropsychological tests and DTI. Methods Fifty-one healthy participants were randomly allocated to the Korean Red Ginseng (n = 26) or placebo (n = 25) groups for 8 weeks. The California Verbal Learning Test was used to assess the number of intrusion errors. Intelligence quotient (IQ) was measured with the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. The fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured from the brain DTI data. Results After the 8-week intervention, Korean Red Ginseng supplementation significantly reduced intrusion errors after adjusting age, sex, IQ, and baseline score of the intrusion errors (p for interaction = 0.005). Change in FA values in the left anterior corona radiata was greater in the Korean Red Ginseng group compared to the placebo group (t = 4.29, p = 0.04). Conclusions Korean Red Ginseng supplementation may be efficacious for improving response inhibition and white matter microstructure integrity in the prefrontal cortex.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.103-114
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• 2010

목적 : 자기공명영상을 이용한 치매연구에서 삼차원 T1강조 뇌 구조 영상으로 뇌기능을 분석할 경우 복셀 기반 형태분석 방법이 이용 된다. 그러나 일반적으로 The Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) 152 라는 젊은 서양성인 뇌로 만들어진 표준판에 정규화되고 이는 분석오차가 생길 수 있어 한국 노인 및 치매환자의 뇌를 분석할 경우 부정확한 결과를 초래한다. 따라서, 본 연구의 목적은 뇌 분석을 최적화 하기 위해 한국 노인 및 치매 환자의 뇌 구조 영상의 표준판을 개발하는데 있다. 대상 및 방법 : 검사장비는 3테슬러를 이용하였으며 8채널 SENSE (sensitivity encoding) 머리코일을 이용하였다. 펄스열은 삼차원 T1 강조 터보 경사자장 타입으로 뇌의 해부학 영상을 획득하였다. 신경심리 검사 점수결과에 따라 정상 노인 43명, 경도인지장애 환자 44명, 알츠하이머성 치매 환자 36명 의 세 그룹으로 나누었다. 일반 선형 모델 방정식을 사용하여 나이와 성별 및 질환간의 차이에 의한 인자를 고려 하였으며, 평가된 인자는 쌍일치 접근 방법으로 한국 노인과 치매 환자의 뇌 표준판을 만들었다. 두 표준판의 Talairach 기준 점에 따른 평균거리와 뇌실의 거리를 계산하였다. 또한 뇌 전체 영역에서 회백질과 백질을 확률이 50% 이상인 복셀 개수를 세어 회백질과 백질의 영역을 계산하였다. 결과 : 최종 뇌 표준판은 MNI152뇌 표준판과 비교했을 경우 공간 분해능이 높았고, 평균거리와 뇌실의 크기에서 차이가 있었다. 회백질 및 백질의 영역은 본 연구에서 개발한 뇌 표준판의 회백질과 백질 모두에서 더 적었고, 백질보다 회백질에서 더 많은 차이가 있었다. 결론 : 본 연구에서 개발한 한국 뇌 표준판은 앞으로 한국 노인과 치매환자의 질환을 분석하는 연구에 유용할 것으로 생각된다.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제22권7호
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• pp.1152-1162
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether there are regional differences in the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability of cognitively normal elderly participants and to identify factors influencing BBB permeability with a clinically feasible, 10-minute dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI protocol. Materials and Methods: This IRB-approved prospective study recruited 35 cognitively normal adults (26 women; mean age, 64.5 ± 5.6 years) who underwent DCE T1-weighted imaging. Permeability maps (K_trans) were coregistered with masks to calculate the mean regional values. The paired t test and Friedman test were used to compare Ktrans between different regions. The relationships between K_trans and the factors of age, sex, education, cognition score, vascular risk burden, vascular factors on imaging, and medial temporal lobar atrophy were assessed using Pearson correlation and the Spearman rank test. Results: The mean permeability rates of the right and left hippocampi, as assessed with automatic segmentation, were 0.529 ± 0.472 and 0.585 ± 0.515 (K_trans, x 10^-3 min^-1), respectively. Concerning the deep gray matter, the K_trans of the thalamus was significantly greater than those of the putamen and hippocampus (p = 0.007, p = 0.041). Regarding the white matter, the K_trans value of the occipital white matter was significantly greater than those of the frontal, cingulate, and temporal white matter (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0007, p = 0.0002). The variations in K_trans across brain regions were not related to age, cognitive score, vascular risk burden, vascular risk factors on imaging, or medial temporal lobar atrophy in the study group. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated regional differences in BBB permeability (K_trans) in cognitively normal elderly adults using a clinically acceptable 10-minutes DCE imaging protocol. The regional differences suggest that the integrity of the BBB varies across the brains of cognitively normal elderly adults. We recommend considering regional differences in K_trans values when evaluating BBB permeability in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.

• 한국의학물리학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국의학물리학회 2006년도 제33회 추계학술대회 발표논문집
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• pp.33-33
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• 2006

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제32권6호
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• pp.391-393
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• 2020

Objectives: We investigated injury of corticostriatal (CStr) tract in patient with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), which was demonstrated by DTT. Method: A 44-year-old female with no previous history of neurological, physical, or psychiatric illness had suffered from head trauma resulting from a pedestrian car accident. She complained that could not quickly move the left hand with her intension. After three month's administration, her slowness movement of left hand recovered rapidly to the point that she was able to extend all fingers quickly. Results: On DTT configuration, the integrity of the left CStr tract was well-preserved, however the right CStr tract showed narrowing and partial tearing in the subcortical white matter on a DTT at 25 months after onset. Conclusion: Injury of the right CStr tract was demonstrated in a patient who developed mild motor control problems following mild TBI. We believe that the evaluation of the CStr tract from the secondary motor area for patients who showed unexplained motor control problem is necessary.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.115-123
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• 2012

목적: Tract-based spatial statistics와 화소기반 형태분석 방법을 이용하여 경도의 알츠하이머병 환자와 경도인 지장애 환자에서 확산텐서영상을 이용하여 뇌 백질의 이상을 평가하고자 하였다. 대상과 방법: 21명의 경도의 알츠하이머병 환자와 13명의 경도인지장애 환자, 그리고 16명의 건강한 노인군을 대상으로 확산텐서영상을 시행하였다. 각 참가자마다 분할 비등방도를 구하여 Tract-based spatial statistics를 이용하여 세 그룹간의 비교를 하였다. Tract-based spatial statistics 방법과의 비교를 위하여, 화소기반 형태분석 방법을 이용한 분석도 함께 시행하였다. 결과: Tract-based spatial statistics 분석결과, 경도의 알츠하이머 환자에서 건강한 노인군보다 방사관의 양측 전각과 우측 후각, 후시상방사, 우측 상세로다발, 뇌량체부, 우측 쐐기전소엽이랑에서 분할 비등방도가 유의하게 감소하였다. 화소기반 형태분석에서는 양측 갈고리다발, 좌측 부해마회의 백질, 우측 대상다발에서 추가적으로 분할 비등 방도가 감소되어 있었다. 경도의 알츠하이머 환자군과 경도인지장애 환자군의 비교, 경도인지장애 환자군과 건강한 노인군의 비교연구에서는 분할 비등방도의 유의한 차이는 없었다. 결론: Tract-based spatial statistics 분석결과, 경도의 알츠하이머 환자군에서 건강한 노인군에 비해 뇌 백질의 분할 비등방도가 여러 곳에서 감소되어 있었다. 화소기반 형태분석방법은 tract-based spatial statistics보다 더 많은 곳에서 뇌 백질의 이상을 보였다. 그러나, 인공물 또한 더 많이 관찰되었다.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제36권3호
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• pp.183-191
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• 2019

Some patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) present with cognitive dysfunctions. The pathophysiology underlying this complication is not well understood. Type 1 DM has been associated with a decrease in the speed of information processing, psychomotor efficiency, attention, mental flexibility, and visual perception. Longitudinal epidemiological studies of type 1 DM have indicated that chronic hyperglycemia and microvascular disease, rather than repeated severe hypoglycemia, are associated with the pathogenesis of DM-related cognitive dysfunction. However, severe hypoglycemic episodes may contribute to cognitive dysfunction in high-risk patients with DM. Type 2 DM has been associated with memory deficits, decreased psychomotor speed, and reduced frontal lobe/executive function. In type 2 DM, chronic hyperglycemia, long duration of DM, presence of vascular risk factors (e.g., hypertension and obesity), and microvascular and macrovascular complications are associated with the increased risk of developing cognitive dysfunction. The pathophysiology of cognitive dysfunction in individuals with DM include the following: (1) role of hyperglycemia, (2) role of vascular disease, (3) role of hypoglycemia, and (4) role of insulin resistance and amyloid. Recently, some investigators have proposed that type 3 DM is correlated to sporadic Alzheimer's disease. The molecular and biochemical consequences of insulin and insulin-like growth factor resistance in the brain compromise neuronal survival, energy production, gene expression, plasticity, and white matter integrity. If patients claim that their performance is worsening or if they ask about the effects of DM on functioning, screening and assessment are recommended.