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Do-Wan Lee,
Sang-Young Kim,
Jae-Hwa Kim,
Taehyeong Lee,
Changbum Yoo,
Yoon-Ki Nam,
Jin-Young Jung,
Hae-Chung Shin,
Hwi-Yool Kim, Dai-Jin Kim,
Bo-Young Choe
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ABSTRACT: The aim of present study was to quantitatively investigate the neurochemical profile of the frontal cortex region in a rat model of long-term alcohol consumption, by using in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) at 4.7 T and ex vivo(1)H high-resolution magic angle spinning (HR-MAS) technique at 11.7 T. Twenty male rats were divided into two groups and fed a liquid diet for 10weeks. After 10weeks, in vivo(1)H MRS spectra were acquired from the frontal cortex brain region. After in vivo(1)H MRS experiments, all animals were sacrificed and 20 frontal cortex tissue samples were harvested. All tissue examinations were performed with the 11.7 T HR-MAS spectrometer and high-resolution spectra were acquired. The in vivo and ex vivo spectra were quantified as absolute metabolite concentrations and normalized ratios of total signal-intensity (i.e., metabolites(Norm)), respectively. The absolute quantifications of in vivo spectra showed significantly higher glycerophosphocholine plus phosphocholine (GPC+PCh) and lower myo-inositol (mIns) concentrations in ethanol-treated rats compared to controls. The quantifications of ex vivo spectra showed significantly higher PCh(Norm), Cho(Norm) and tCho(Norm), and lower GPC(Norm) and mIns(Norm) ratio levels in ethanol-treated rats compared to controls. Our findings suggest that reduced mIns concentrations caused by the long-term alcohol consumption may lead to hypo-osmolarity syndrome and astrocyte hyponatremia. In addition, increased choline-containing compound concentrations may reflect an increased cell turnover rate of phosphatidylcholine and other phospholipids, indicating an adaptive mechanism. Therefore, these results might be utilized as key markers in chronic alcohol intoxication metabolism.
Neurochemistry International 02/2013; · 2.86 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Injecting drug use is associated with an increased risk of blood-borne viral infections, such as hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV, respectively) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, their prevalence, virological characteristics, and associated factors are not clear among the injecting drug users in Korea. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HIV infection, as well as their virological and clinical characteristics of injecting drug users in South Korea. Between 2007 and 2010, 318 injecting drug users (89.3% male; mean ± age 41.9 ± 8.15 years) were participated. While HIV infection was not found, the seroprevalence of anti-HCV and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) was 48.4% (n = 154) and 6.6% (n = 21), respectively. HBV/HCV co-infection was found in 4.1% (n = 13). Occult HBV infection was suggested in 5.0% (n = 16). Among the HCV genotypes, 1b (37.7%) and 2a/2c (35.7%) were mostly often detected. HCV RNA was detected in 98.1% (n = 151/154) and high-level viremia (HCV RNA level, ≥400,000 IU/ml) were observed in 59.6% (n = 90/151). In multiple logistic regression analysis, old age (OR 1.18 per year, 95% CI = 1.09-1.27) and ever-sharing injecting equipment (OR 4.17, 95% CI = 1.39-12.45) independently predicted HCV mono-infection. The prevalence of HBV and HCV infection were high but largely undiagnosed in the present sample of Korean injecting drug users. Strategic prevention, screening, and treatment are needed to reduce further transmission and morbidity. J. Med. Virol. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Journal of Medical Virology 01/2013; · 2.82 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the ethanol on corpus cavernosum of the type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) rat, since previous studies have reported the positive effect of moderate drinking on type 2 DM and endothelial function. METHODS: Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF, n = 28) and Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO, n = 28) male rats were assigned to four groups: control (LETO, n = 14), control/ethanol (LETO with ethanol, n = 14), fatty (OLETF, n = 14) and fatty/ethanol (OLETF with ethanol, n = 14). The control/ethanol and fatty/ethanol groups were fed Lieber-DeCarli Regular EtOH. After 10 weeks, an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) was performed. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses of the RhoA/Rho kinase in the corpus cavernosum were performed. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the corpus cavernosum was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: After a 10-week ethanol intake, the body weight and the IPGTT of the fatty/ethanol group were significantly lower compared with the fatty group (p < 0.05). A significantly increased mRNA and protein expression in the fatty group was observed compared with the control group by RT-PCR and Western blot analyses (p < 0.05): A significantly decreased expression was observed in the fatty/ethanol group compared with the fatty group (p < 0.05). The significantly increased expression of eNOS was observed in the fatty/ethanol group compared with the fatty group by immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term ethanol intake may preserve the erectile function in type 2 DM through the down-regulation of the RhoA/Rho kinase pathway.
International Urology and Nephrology 01/2013; · 1.47 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to develop a self-diagnostic scale that could distinguish smartphone addicts based on the Korean self-diagnostic program for Internet addiction (K-scale) and the smartphone's own features. In addition, the reliability and validity of the smartphone addiction scale (SAS) was demonstrated.
A total of 197 participants were selected from Nov. 2011 to Jan. 2012 to accomplish a set of questionnaires, including SAS, K-scale, modified Kimberly Young Internet addiction test (Y-scale), visual analogue scale (VAS), and substance dependence and abuse diagnosis of DSM-IV. There were 64 males and 133 females, with ages ranging from 18 to 53 years (M = 26.06; SD = 5.96). Factor analysis, internal-consistency test, t-test, ANOVA, and correlation analysis were conducted to verify the reliability and validity of SAS.
Based on the factor analysis results, the subscale "disturbance of reality testing" was removed, and six factors were left. The internal consistency and concurrent validity of SAS were verified (Cronbach's alpha = 0.967). SAS and its subscales were significantly correlated with K-scale and Y-scale. The VAS of each factor also showed a significant correlation with each subscale. In addition, differences were found in the job (p<0.05), education (p<0.05), and self-reported smartphone addiction scores (p<0.001) in SAS.
This study developed the first scale of the smartphone addiction aspect of the diagnostic manual. This scale was proven to be relatively reliable and valid.
PLoS ONE 01/2013; 8(2):e56936. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to measure motivation to improve Internet addiction. Motivation is known to be important to treat Internet addiction successfully. The reliability of the scale was assessed, and its concurrent validity was evaluated.
Ninety-two adolescents participated in this study. The basic demographic characteristics were recorded and the Korean version of the Stages of Readiness for Change and Eagerness for Treatment Scale for Internet Addiction (K-SOCRATES-I) was administered. Subsequently, the Internet Addiction Improvement Motivation Scale was developed using 10 questions based on the theory of motivation enhancement therapy and its precursor version designed for smoking cessation.
The motivation scale was composed of three subscales through factor analysis; each subscale had an adequate degree of reliability. In addition, the motivation scale had a high degree of validity based on its significant correlation with the K-SOCRATES-I. A cut-off score, which can be used to screen out individuals with low motivation, was suggested.
The Internet Addiction Improvement Motivation Scale, composed of 10 questions developed in this study, was deemed a highly reliable and valid scale to measure a respondent's motivation to be treated for Internet addiction.
Psychiatry investigation 12/2012; 9(4):373-8. · 0.99 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of the study was to develop the Korean version of the Stage of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale for Smoking Cessation (K-SOCRATES-S) based on the Korean version of the Stages of Readiness for Change and Eagerness for Treatment scale (K-SOCRATES). This paper also demonstrates its reliability and validity among patients with nicotine dependence in South Korea.
At seven healthcare promotion centers in Gyeonggi-do, 333 male smokers aged 20 to 70 who visited smoking cessation clinic were recruited for this study and the K-SOCRATES-S was administered. After three months, the number of respondents who successfully stopped smoking was assessed by testing their urine cotinine level. Subsequently, exploratory factor analysis was performed to verify the reliability and validity of the K-SOCRATES-S. Also, a logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the variables that can predict the successful cessation of smoking on subscales of the K-SOCRATES-S.
Exploratory factor analysis of the K-SOCRATES-S showed that the scale consisted of three factors: Taking Steps, Recognition, and Ambivalence. The scales measuring Taking Steps and Recognition in this scale had a significantly positive correlation with the scores observed on Kim's smoking cessation motivation scale. The scales measuring Taking Steps and Recognition had a significantly negative correlation with Ambivalence. Overall, the results indicate that the K-SOCRATES-K scale showed high validity.
The K-SOCRATES-S developed in the present study is highly reliable and valid for predicting a patient's likelihood of success in quitting smoking among patients who want to cease smoking.
Psychiatry investigation 09/2012; 9(3):223-8. · 0.99 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: PURPOSE: Despite a growing body of research on resilience and its clinical significance in depression and anxiety disorders, relatively little is known about contributing factors for resilience in patients with these illnesses. We aimed to find characteristics of patients having low resilience for elucidating its clinical implications in depression and/or anxiety disorders, primarily focused on potentially modifiable variables. METHODS: A total of 121 outpatients diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety disorders completed questionnaires measuring socio-demographic, clinical, and positive psychological factors. We divided patients into the three groups based on their Connor-Davidson resilience scale scores and investigated predictors of the low- and medium- versus high-resilience groups using multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In the final regression model, low spirituality was revealed as a leading predictor of lower-resilience groups. Additionally, low purpose in life and less frequent exercise were associated with the low- and medium-resilience groups, respectively. Severe trait anxiety characterized the low- and medium-resilience groups, although it was not included in the final model. CONCLUSIONS: Spirituality, purpose in life, and trait anxiety contribute to different levels of resilience in patients with depression and/or anxiety disorders. Our results would deepen the understanding of resilience and provide potential targets of resilience-focused intervention in these patients.
Quality of Life Research 04/2012; · 2.30 Impact Factor
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Do-Wan Lee,
Sang-Young Kim,
Taehyeong Lee,
Yoon-Ki Nam,
Anes Ju,
Dong-Cheol Woo,
Se-Jong You,
Jun-Sung Han,
Sung-Ho Lee,
Chi-Bong Choi,
Sang-Soo Kim,
Hae-Chung Shin,
Hwi-Yool Kim, Dai-Jin Kim,
Hyang-Shuk Rhim,
Bo-Young Choe
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to quantitatively investigate the chronic ethanol-induced cerebral metabolic changes in various regions of the rat brain, using the proton high resolution magic angle spinning spectroscopy technique. The rats were divided into two groups (control group: N=11, ethanol-treated group: N=11) and fed with the liquid diets for 10 weeks. In each week, the mean intake volumes of liquid diet were measured. The brain tissues, including cerebellum (Cere), frontal cortex (FC), hippocampus (Hip), occipital cortex (OC) and thalamus (Thal), were harvested immediately after the end of experiments. The ex vivo proton spectra for the five brain regions were acquired with the Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) pulse sequence at 500-MHz NMR spectrometer. All of the spectra were processed using the LCModel software, with simulated basis-set file, and the metabolite levels were referenced to total creatine. In the ethanol liquid diet group, there were significant increases in the metabolites ratio levels, as compared to control (Cere: alanine, glutathione, and N-acetlyaspartate; FC: phosphocholine and taurine; Hip: alanine, glutamine, and N-acetylaspartate; OC: glutamine; Thal: alanine, γ-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, glycerophosphocholine, phosphocholine, taurine, and free choline). However, in the ethanol liquid diet group, the myo-inositol levels of the OC were significantly lower. The present study demonstrates how chronic ethanol consumption affects cerebral metabolites in the chronic ethanol-treated rat. Therefore, this result could be useful to pursue clinical applications for quantitative diagnosis in human alcoholism.
Brain research 10/2011; 1429:134-44. · 2.46 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The potential relationship between Internet addiction and certain cognitive function problems has been suggested by several studies. However, few or no studies have examined the differences in cognitive functioning between persons addicted to the Internet and persons not addicted using a standard neuropsychological test. This study screened 253 middle school students and 389 high school students for Internet addiction and compared 59 Internet-addicted students with 43 non-addicted students using an IQ test. The Internet-addicted group had comprehension sub-item scores that were significantly lower than those of the non-addicted group. As the comprehension item reflects ethical judgement and reality testing, there may be a relationship between Internet addiction and weak social intelligence. Earlier onset of Internet addiction and longer addiction duration were associated with lower participant performance in areas related to attention. As this study is a cross-sectional study, it is not clear whether the persons who display weak cognitive functioning are susceptible to Internet addiction or if Internet addiction causes cognitive problems. However, as brain development remains active during adolescence, the possibility that Internet addiction adversely affects the cognitive functioning of adolescents cannot be ruled out.
Psychiatry Research 09/2011; 190(2-3):275-81. · 2.52 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Type 2 diabetes and chronic heavy alcohol consumption each have been known to be associated with the impairment of hippocampus-dependent cognitive functions. Although both conditions often coexist clinically and there is accumulated evidence of a relationship between the two, the combined effect on hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) has not yet been investigated. We compared the effect of type 2 diabetes itself with that of type 2 diabetes with chronic heavy alcohol consumption on the hippocampal LTP using Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat model, which resembles the characteristics of human type 2 diabetes. Ten of 16-week-old male OLETF rats were randomized into two treatment groups according to weight: the OLETF-Alcohol (O-A, n=5) and the OLETF-Control (O-C, n=5). The rats in the O-A group were fed Lieber-DeCarli Regular EtOH over a 10-week period and the amount of alcohol consumption was 8.42±2.52g/kg/day. To ensure the effect of poor glycemic control on LTP, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was performed after a 10-week treatment. The hippocampal LTP was measured by extracellular field excitatory post-synaptic potentials at Shaffer collateral (SC) synapses in the CA1 region. Although the O-A group showed significantly lower fasting and postprandial glucose (P<0.01 and P=0.02, respectively), the hippocampal LTP was more significantly attenuated in the O-A group than the O-C group (P=0.032). The results of this study suggested that chronic heavy alcohol consumption could potentiate the impairment of hippocampal LTP in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance or early type 2 diabetes, even though it did not aggravate, but did improve glycemic control. Clinical attention to chronic heavy drinking will be required in preventing cognitive impairment in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Neuroscience Letters 06/2011; 500(1):52-6. · 2.11 Impact Factor
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Seong-Su Lee,
Jeong-Seok Seo,
Sung-Rae Kim,
Jo-Eun Jeong,
Beom-Woo Nam,
Ju-Yul Lee,
Hee-Jin Lee,
Chul Lee,
Chang-Uk Lee,
In-Ho Paik,
Jeong-Ho Chae,
Sook-Hee Chai,
Soon-Jib Yoo,
Wang-Youn Won, Dai-Jin Kim
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ABSTRACT: Our aim was to evaluate the changes in blood glucose control and lipid profiles after 2-months of smoking cessation in healthy males.
Smoking abstinence was evaluated through self-report and urine cotinine levels. 12 individuals who succeeded in quitting smoking were analyzed. Fasting values of glucose and insulin were used to estimate the β-cell activity and insulin resistance was evaluated using the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) and Quantitative Insulin Sensitivity Check Index (QUICKI).
The data showed that the subjects had a significant increase in weight, body mass index and fasting plasma glucose levels after smoking cessation. The HOMA-Insulin Resistance and the HOMA β-cell function increased significantly (p=0.005, p=0.047 respectively). The QUICKI showed a significant decrease (p=0.005). In addition, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased significantly (p=0.028); however, changes in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were not significant (p=0.284, p=0.445 respectively).
During the initial stage of smoking abstinence, insulin resistance increased and insulin sensitivity decreased due to elevated body weight and fat composition. Therefore, it is important to educate individuals that stop smoking about the necessity of weight control during smoking cessation programs.
Psychiatry investigation 06/2011; 8(2):149-54. · 0.99 Impact Factor
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Guk-Hee Suh,
Seung-Ho Ryu,
Dong-Woo Lee,
Changsu Han,
Young-Su Ju,
Baik Seok Kee,
Joon-Noh Lee,
Jae Nam Bae,
Jong-Hyuk Choi, Dai-Jin Kim,
Nam-Jin Lee,
Jun-Young Lee,
Hyo-Jin Go,
Jung-Seo Yi,
Seong-Jin Cho,
Yang-Whan Jeon
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ABSTRACT: This study aims to examine survival of patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) receiving clinical efficacy of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and to compare their survival with those of patients with AD who never received ChEIs and cognitively intact old psychiatric outpatients.
The retrospective cohort study used national mortality data provided by the Korean National Statistics Office and electronic database of 15 general hospitals on older patients who began outpatient treatment with psychiatric medications including ChEIs (N = 3,813). The authors controlled for confounding by using multivariate models and propensity scoring methods.
Mortality rate of patients with AD receiving ChEIs was compared with those of patients with AD who never received ChEIs and cognitively intact old psychiatric outpatients.
Observed additional survival of patients with AD receiving ChEIs (mortality rate: 13.1%), when compared with patients with AD who never received ChEIs (15.4%) was not statistically significant (p = 0.74; hazard ratio [HR]: 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.67-1.59). Patients with AD receiving ChEIs showed higher mortality rate (13.1%) compared with that of cognitively intact old psychiatric outpatients (8.6%) (p <0.001; HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 0.96-2.68).
This study does not support that ChEIs increase survival of patients with AD, compared with patients with AD who have never treated with ChEIs. Therefore, all ChEIs should be considered for symptomatic use only and not to be capable of modifying mortality of patients with AD.
The American journal of geriatric psychiatry: official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry 03/2011; 19(3):266-73. · 3.35 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: There have been lots of studies about the relationship between chronic use of alcohol and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Chronic use of alcohol can be affected by the altered level of ghrelin and leptin which regulate food-seeking behavior having similar mechanism of controlling alcohol-craving behavior. Those peptides are known to be correlated with T2DM. Ghrelin and leptin also have been regarded as possible regulators of glucose metabolism and insulin function. Hence, there is the possibility that ghrelin and leptin can be related with deteriorated pathophysiology of T2DM in alcoholic patients.
Patients with alcohol dependence diagnosed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) underwent an 75 g oral glucose-tolerance test (OGTT), to classify them to normal glucose tolerance (NGT, n = 52), pre-diabetes including impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), impaired fasting glucose level (IFG) and combination of IGT and IFG (Pre-DM, n = 26) and T2DM (n = 24) groups. Fasting plasma ghrelin and leptin levels were compared among groups.
There was no difference of ghrelin concentration among the groups but the leptin concentration was significantly different between NGT and T2DM group (p < 0.05). Increased leptin levels were significantly correlated with body mass index (BMI), insulin level, and insulin resistance.
Chronic alcohol drinking might produce leptin resistance which makes leptin significantly correlated with fasting insulin concentration and insulin resistance. Therefore, we suppose that increased level of leptin by chronic alcohol use could be one of the main mechanisms that develop insulin resistance in alcoholic patients.
Alcoholism Clinical and Experimental Research 02/2011; 35(5):905-11. · 3.34 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To compare ethanol-induced ultrastructural changes in corneas of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats.
Forty, five-week-old male LETO and OLETF rats were fed an ethanol-containing liquid diet (LETO alc and OLETF alc) for 11 weeks, and another forty OLETF and LETO rats were put on a pair-fed control diet (LETO con and OLETF con) for 11 weeks. The body weight and fasting blood glucose levels, and 2-hour blood glucose levels after glucose tolerance test (GTT) were checked every week. Central corneal thickness (CCT) was measured with an ultrasound pachymeter after 11 weeks. After corneal buttons were excised, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination was performed.
The CCTs in groups LETO-alc (179.39 +/- 28.64 microm) and OLETF-alc (189.46 +/- 44.44 microm) were significantly thicker than those in groups LETO-con (168.07 +/- 15.57 microm) and OLETF-con (179.28 +/- 14.68 microm) respectively (P < 0.05). The percentage of basement membrane occupied by hemidesmosome (HD/BM) in the LETO-alc (43.2 +/- 3.7%) and OLETF-alc (35.3 +/- 4.1%) was lower than that in the LETO-con (51.5 +/- 2.6%) and OLETF-con (41.6 +/- 3.5%) group respectively (P < 0.05). Descemet's membrane thickness of the LETO-alc (4.45 +/- 0.3 microm) and OLETF-alc (4.98 +/- 0.5 microm) was greater than that of the LETO-con (4.11 +/- 0.2 microm) and OLETF-con (4.57 +/- 0.3 microm) group respectively (P < 0.05). In the OLETF group, the hemidesmosomes and endothelial tight junctions were less electron-dense; interstromal edema was more prominent than that in the LETO group.
Corneal ultrastructural damage can develop in the pre-diabetic stage and when alcohol is ingested chronically in rats.
Albrecht von Graæes Archiv für Ophthalmologie 10/2010; 248(10):1457-66. · 2.17 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Chronic alcohol consumption contributes to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) while decreasing the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF may be an important regulator of glucose metabolism, so it may be associated with an increased risk for T2DM in alcoholism. We evaluated the association of chronic heavy alcohol exposure, T2DM and BDNF level. Ten week-old type 2 diabetic OLETF rats and non-diabetic LETO rats of similar weight were used. The rats were randomized by weight into four treatment groups: (1) OLETF-Ethanol (O-E, n=13), (2) OLETF-Control (O-C, n=15), (3) LETO-Ethanol (L-E, n=11), and (4) LETO-Control (L-C, n=14). The ethanol groups were fed an isocaloric liquid diet containing ethanol while the control groups were fed with the same diet containing maltose-dextran over a 6-week period using a pair-feeding control model in order to regulate different caloric ingestion. After 6 weeks of feeding, an Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test (IP-GTT) was performed and BDNF levels were analyzed. Prior to IP-GTT, the mean glucose levels in the O-E, O-C, L-E, and L-C groups were 90.38±12.84, 102.13±5.04, 95.18±6.43, and 102.36±4.43mg/dL, respectively. Thirty minutes after intraperitoneal injection, the mean glucose levels were 262.62±63.77, 229.07±51.30, 163.45±26.63, and 156.64±34.42mg/dL, respectively; the increased amount of the mean glucose level in the O-E group was significantly higher than that in the O-C group (p<0.05). One hundred twenty minutes after intraperitoneal injection, the mean glucose levels were 167.38±45.37, 121.20±18.54, 106.73±6.94, and 104.57±9.49mg/dL, respectively; the increased amount of the mean glucose level in the O-E group was significantly higher than that in the O-C group (p<0.01). The difference in mean glucose levels between the O-E group and O-C group was still significant even after adjusting for time (p<0.05). Mean BDNF levels were 405.95±326.16, 618.23±462.15, 749.18±599.93, and 1172.00±839.17pg/mL, respectively; mean BDNF level in the O-E group was significantly lower than the L-C group (p<0.05). In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that chronic heavy alcohol ingestion may aggravate T2DM and may possibly lower BDNF level.
Neuroscience Letters 10/2010; 487(2):149-52. · 2.11 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to examine disturbances in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) associated with methamphetamine abuse.
Using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), rCBF was measured in 20 men who had previously injected methamphetamine intravenously for over 30 months and who were now abstinent for a minimum of 9 months and for an average of 2 years. Values were compared with those in 12 healthy men who had never injected methamphetamine.
While rCBF was significantly and disproportionately reduced in subcortical and dorsal cortical brain regions, including the striatum, thalamus, cingulum, mesiodorsal prefrontal cortex, and pons (all t's>8.3 after global normalization, corrected p's<0.001), whole brain CBF was also significantly reduced in the former methamphetamine users. Binge use of methamphetamine is associated with long-term changes in both global and regional blood flows, likely representing severe and enduring neural toxicity of monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems in the brain, producing a pattern of hypoperfusion that resembles patterns reported previously for persons with atypical Parkinson's disease.
These findings suggest that methamphetamine abusers may be possibly at increased risk for neurodegenerative diseases later in life.
Drug and alcohol dependence 09/2010; 111(1-2):155-60. · 3.60 Impact Factor
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Ihn-Geun Choi,
Sung-Il Woo,
Ho Jin Kim, Dai-Jin Kim,
Byung Lae Park,
Hyun Sub Cheong,
Charisse Flerida A Pasaje,
Tae Joon Park,
Joon Seol Bae,
Young Gyu Chai,
Hyoung Doo Shin
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ABSTRACT: The genetic variant at codon 129 (M129V) of the prion protein gene (PRNP) is considered to be a major genetic risk factor for prion diseases. In this study, we examined the possible genetic association of PRNP*129Val with multiple sclerosis (MS, n=681), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n=801), alcoholism (n=761) and schizophrenia (n=715) in a Korean population, and compared the data with previous genetic association studies of the variant. The minor allele frequency of PRNP*129Val (MAF =0.025) was significantly lower in Korean population (n=2,479) compared to Caucasian populations (P < 0.0001), suggestive of a weak influence of the variant in the previous population. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between PRNP*129Val and MS (P= 0.76), MCI (P=0.46), alcoholism (P=0.84) and schizophrenia (P =0.69). These findings were discussed in the context of prior inconsistent reports on the role of PRNP*129Val polymorphism in several diseases. Results from this study may provide further evidence that PRNP M129V is not a genetic susceptibility factor for MS, MCI, alcoholism and schizophrenia in a Korean population.
Disease markers 01/2010; 28(5):315-21. · 1.64 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to develop a scale to measure motivation for smoking cessation. Motivation is known to be important for success of smoking cessation. The reliability of the scale was assessed and its predictive validity for smoking cessation was evaluated.
We recruited 333 men aged 20 to 70 that visited smoking cessation clinics at seven public health centers. The demographic characteristics were recorded and the Korean version of Stages of Readiness for Change and Eagerness for Treatment Scale for Smoking (K-SO-CRATES-S) performed. A smoking cessation motivation scale was developed with 10 questions based on the theory of motivation enhancement therapy.
The motivation scale was composed of four subscales based on the factor analysis; each subscale had an adequate degree of internal consistency. In addition, the newly developed scale had a high degree of validity based on its significant correlation with the smoking version of SOCRATES. Moreover, the precontemplation level of motivation was found to significantly predict the success of smoking cessation. And one of the subscales of the Korean Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (K-NDSS), stereotypy which also significantly predicted the success of smoking cessation, significantly correlated with the preparation 1 and 2 level of motivation.
The smoking cessation motivation scale with 10 questions that was developed in this study was a highly reliable and valid scale for the prediction of success for smoking cessation for those who wanted to stop smoking.
Psychiatry investigation 12/2009; 6(4):272-7. · 0.99 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: For a long time, alcohol was thought to exert a general depressant effect on the central nervous system (CNS). However, currently the consensus is that specific regions of the brain are selectively vulnerable to the acute effects of alcohol. An alcohol-induced blackout is the classic example; the subject is temporarily unable to form new long-term memories while relatively maintaining other skills such as talking or even driving. A recent study showed that alcohol can cause retrograde memory impairment, that is, blackouts due to retrieval impairments as well as those due to deficits in encoding. Alcoholic blackouts may be complete (en bloc) or partial (fragmentary) depending on severity of memory impairment. In fragmentary blackouts, cueing often aids recall. Memory impairment during acute intoxication involves dysfunction of episodic memory, a type of memory encoded with spatial and social context. Recent studies have shown that there are multiple memory systems supported by discrete brain regions, and the acute effects of alcohol on learning and memory may result from alteration of the hippocampus and related structures on a cellular level. A rapid increase in blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is most consistently associated with the likelihood of a blackout. However, not all subjects experience blackouts, implying that genetic factors play a role in determining CNS vulnerability to the effects of alcohol. This factor may predispose an individual to alcoholism, as altered memory function during intoxication may affect an individual's alcohol expectancy; one may perceive positive aspects of intoxication while unintentionally ignoring the negative aspects. Extensive research on memory and learning as well as findings related to the acute effects of alcohol on the brain may elucidate the mechanisms and impact associated with the alcohol-induced blackout.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 11/2009; 6(11):2783-92. · 1.61 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Legalized gambling is a growing industry, and is probably a factor in the presently increasing prevalence of pathological gambling. We present a case of a 36-year-old pathological gambler who was treated with fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, and who was assessed by functional MRI before and after drug administration. During activation periods, the pathological gambler was shown cards as stimuli, and fMRI results in several brain regions showed differential effects before and after medication and a maintenance period. This case demonstrates that the treatment response to fluvoxamine in a pathological gambler was observed not only by subjective self-report, but also by objective fMRI results. Therefore, fMRI may be a useful tool in the diagnosis and prediction of treatment response in patients afflicted with pathological gambling.
Yonsei medical journal 07/2009; 50(3):441-4. · 0.77 Impact Factor
