Neuroplastic and Pro-cognitive Effects of Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor in Healthy Adults: A Pilot Study

Sheng-Min Wang,Dong Woo Kang,Hee-Je Kim,Sung-Soo Park,Hyun Kook Lim 대한신경정신의학회 2023 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.20 No.10

Objective Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a growth factor used to regulate the mobilization of bone marrow progenitor cells and has been shown to promote brain repair and reduce inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the pro-cognitive and neuroplastic effects of G-CSF in healthy adults. Methods Sixteen healthy adults or donors of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation received G-CSF injections for 5 consecutive days, and their blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 3 weeks after the G-CSF injections. Twelve subjects underwent neuropsychological testing before and 12 weeks after the G-CSF injections. Results The study found that G-CSF administration resulted in significant improvements in cognitive function, as measured by the Rey- Osterrieth Complex Figure test for immediate recall, delayed recall, and recognition score at 12 weeks after the injections. The blood levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, interleukin-4, and interleukin-8 were significantly increased immediately after the injections and returned to baseline levels after 3 weeks. There was no significant change in the plasma level of Multimer Detection System-oligomerized amyloid beta. Conclusion Our results might suggest that G-CSF has neuroplastic and pro-cognitive effects in healthy adults. However, further study containing a larger sample size is needed to confirm our findings.

Functional Connectivity Change Associated With Apolipoprotein E Allotypes Precedes Structural Connectivity and Neurodegeneration in Cognitive Normal Older Adults Without Cerebral Aβ Deposition

Sheng-Min Wang,Dong Woo Kang,Yoo Hyun Um,Sunghwan Kim,Chang Uk Lee,Hyun Kook Lim 대한신경정신의학회 2023 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.20 No.11

Objective Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is known to influence cerebral functional connectivity (FC) in Alzheimer’s disease continuum. We investigated association between APOE allotypes and FC, structural connectivity, and cortical thickness in amyloid-PET negative cognitive normal older adults (CN).Methods A total of 188 CN (37 had ε2/ε2 or ε2/ε3 [ε2 group], 113 had ε3/ε3 [ε3 group], and 38 had ε3/ε4 or ε4/ε4 [ε4 group]) were recruited. Voxel-based morphometry and cortical thickness analysis were used to investigate differences in cortical thickness between three APOE allotypes. To investigate integrity of structural connectivity, we analyzed diffusion weighted imaging using fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity. In terms of FC, differences of FC in default mode network (DMN) among APOE allotypes were measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging.Results There were no significant differences in age, sex, education, cerebral beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition severity, or neuropsychological profiles. No significant differences were found in cortical thickness and structural connectivity among the APOE allotypes. However, FC within the DMN was significantly lower in ε4 and ε2 carriers compared to ε3 homozygotes.Conclusion This study suggests that both ε4 and ε2 exhibit APOE-associated DMN FC changes before Aβ deposition, structural changes, and neurodegeneration.

Association between Dementia and Clinical Outcome after COVID-19: A Nationwide Cohort Study with Propensity Score Matched Control in South Korea

Sheng-Min Wang,See Hyun Park,Nak-Young Kim,Dong Woo Kang,Hae-Ran Na,Yoo Hyun Um,Seunghoon Han,Sung-Soo Park,Hyun Kook Lim 대한신경정신의학회 2021 PSYCHIATRY INVESTIGATION Vol.18 No.6

Objective Despite a high prevalence of dementia in older adults hospitalized with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection (SARS-CoV-2), or so called COVID-19, research investigating association between preexisting diagnoses of dementia and prognosis of COVID-19 is scarce. We aimed to investigate treatment outcome of patients with dementia after COVID-19. Methods We explored a nationwide cohort with a total of 2,800 subjects older than 50 years who were diagnosed with COVID-19 between January and April 2020. Among them, 223 patients had underlying dementia (dementia group). We matched 1:1 for each dementia- non-dementia group pair yielding 223 patients without dementia (no dementia group) using propensity score matching. Results Mortality rate after COVID-19 was higher in dementia group than in no dementia group (33.6% vs. 20.2%, p=0.002). Dementia group had higher proportion of patients requiring invasive ventilatory support than no dementia group (34.1% vs. 22.0%, p=0.006). Multivariable analysis showed that dementia group had a higher risk of mortality than no dementia group (odds ratio=3.05, p<0.001). We also found that patients in dementia group had a higher risk of needing invasive ventilatory support than those in no dementia group. Conclusion Our results suggest that system including strengthen quarantines are required for patients with dementia during the COVID- 19 pandemic.

Laser-induced heating for cell release and cellular DNA denaturation in a microfluidics

Min-Sheng Hung,Yi-Tsung Huang 한국바이오칩학회 2013 BioChip Journal Vol.7 No.4

In this study, a microfluidics is integrated with a laser to develop a microfluidic system for singlecell capture and cellular DNA denaturation. The results show that the cells encountered low hydrodynamic stress at low velocities and, thus, could be captured by a cell capture structure. Laser heating of the solution at low velocity produced bubbles that pushed the cells away from the capturing areas. The released cells were subsequently lysed, and cellular DNA was extended and immobilized on the surface of pillars before undergoing laser heating to induce partial denaturation.

Agomelatine for the Treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Meta-Analysis

Sheng Min Wang,Young Sup Woo,Nak-Young Kim,Hae-Ran Na,Hyun Kook Lim,Won-Myong Bahk 대한정신약물학회 2020 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.18 No.3

Objective: Despite multiple drugs available, a large proportion of patients with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) do not show adequate response and remission. Thus, additional novel pharmacological agents are needed to increase treatment option for GAD. We aimed to investigate efficacy and safety of agomelatine in the treatment of GAD by conducting a meta-analysis. Methods: An extensive search of multiple databases and clinical trial registries were conducted. Mean change in total scores on Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) from baseline to endpoint was our primary outcome measure. Secondary efficacy measures included response and remission rates, as defined by a 50% or greater reduction in HAM-A total scores and a score of 7 or less in HAM-A total scores at study endpoint respectively. Results: Four published double blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. Agomelatine more significantly (standardized mean difference = −0.56, p = 0.004) improved HAM-A total scores than placebo. The odds ratios (ORs) of agomelatine over placebo for response and remission rates were 3.75 (p < 0.00001) and 2.74 (p < 0.00001), respectively. Agomelatine was generally well tolerated with insignificance in dropout rate, somnolence, headache, nasopharyngitis, and dizziness compared with placebo. However, agomelatine showed significantly higher incidence of liver function increment (OR = 3.13, p = 0.01) and nausea (OR = 3.27, p = 0.02). Conclusion: We showed that agomelatine may be another treatment option in patients with GAD. However, the results should be interpreted and translated into clinical practice with caution because the meta-analysis was based on limited numbers of clinical trials.

Second Generation Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: An Update

Sheng Min Wang,한창수,이수정,전태연,Ashwin A. Patkar,Prakash S Masand,배치운 전남대학교 의과학연구소 2016 전남의대학술지 Vol.52 No.3

Less than one third of patients who suffer from major depressive disorder (MDD) report remission following antidepressant treatments requiring more diverse treatment approaches. Augmentation of second generation antipsychotics (SGAs) has been increasingly recognized as an important treatment option. The authors have previously provided a comprehensive review of SGAs for the treatment of MDD in 2013. Since then, numerous additional clinical trials have been conducted to investigate diverse issues regarding the utility of SGAs in MDD. Moreover, a new SGA, brexpiprazole, was recently approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2015 for the treatment of MDD as an augmentation agent to antidepressants. Thus, the aim of this study was to provide a concise update of all the available SGAs for the treatment of MDD, in particular on the additional clinical trials which have been published since 2013.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Psychiatric Health in the Korean Population

Sheng Min Wang,Sung-Hwan Kim,Won-Seok Choi,Hyun Kook Lim,Young Sup Woo,Chi-Un Pae,Won-Myong Bahk 대한정신약물학회 2023 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.21 No.3

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has multiple negative impacts on the psychiatric health of both those previously infected and not infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Moreover, the negative impacts of COVID-19 are closely associated with geographical region, culture, medical system, and ethnic background. We summarized the evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on the psychiatric health of the Korean population. This narrative review included thirteen research articles, which investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the psychiatric health of Koreans. COVID-19 survivors were reported to have a 2.4 times greater risk of developing psychiatric disorders compared to members of a control group, and anxiety and stress-related disorders were the most common newly diagnosed psychiatric illnesses. Studies also reported that COVID-19 survivors had a 3.33-fold higher prevalence of insomnia, a 2.72-fold higher prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, and a 3.09-fold higher prevalence of dementia compared to the control group. In addition, more than four studies have highlighted that the medical staff members, including nurses and medical students, exhibit a greater negative psychiatric impact of COVID-19. However, none of the articles investigated the biological pathophysiology or mechanism linking COVID-19 and the risk of diverse psychiatric disorders. Moreover, none of the studies were actual prospective studies. Thus, longitudinal studies are needed to more clearly elucidate the effect of COVID-19 on the psychiatric health of the Korean population. Lastly, studies focusing on preventing and treating COVID-19–associated psychiatric problems are needed to provide a benefit in real clinical settings.

Auditory and Visual P300 in ADHD Children with Higher and Lower IQ

Sheng Min Wang,Yang-Whan Jeon,Sang-Ick Han,E Jin Park 대한소아청소년정신의학회 2011 소아청소년정신의학 Vol.22 No.4

Objectives:Intellectual impairment in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often associated with relatively severe cognitive dysfunction. This study was designed to investigate cognitive function using auditory and visual event-related potential P300 in children with ADHD with relatively higher and lower IQ. Methods:A total of 20 children aged 6-12 years with DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of ADHD-combined type were recruited. For 10 children with lower IQ (≤100) and 10 children with higher IQ (>100), auditory and visual P300 using oddball paradigm (target 0.2, standard 0.8, in probability) were employed. Results:No significant differences were found in P300 amplitude and latency between ADHD children with higher and lower IQ in both modalities. However, auditory P300 amplitude in the right parietal area (P8 electrode) was negatively correlated with verbal IQ in ADHD subjects (R=-.50, p<.05). Visual P300 amplitude in the left parietal area (P3 electrode) was positively correlated with performance IQ in ADHD subjects (R=.57, p<.01). Conclusion:This study suggests intellectual impairment, as evidenced by lower IQ, could not be associated with cognitive dysfunction reflected in event-related potential P300 in ADHD children. However, cognitive function reflected in intellectual subcomponents and P300 might be processed in a stimulus modality-specific and asymmetric pattern.

Motion Blurred Image Parameter Recognition Based on PSO

Sheng-min Zhao(조승민),Eun-Hu Kim(김은후),Sung-Kwun Oh(오성권),Jin-Yul Kim(김진율) 대한전기학회 2019 대한전기학회 학술대회 논문집 Vol.2019 No.7

Pre-transplant Dementia is Associated with Poor Survival After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Nationwide Cohort Study with Propensity Score Matched Control

Sheng-Min Wang,Sung-Soo Park,See Hyun Park,Nak-Young Kim,Dong Woo Kang,Hae-Ran Na,Young-Yi Bae,Jong Wook Lee,Seunghoon Han,Hyun Kook Lim 대한정신약물학회 2021 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.19 No.2

Objective: No previous study examined impact of dementia in the outcome of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell trans-plantation (HSCT). We aimed to investigate overall survival (OS) of patients with dementia after receiving HSCT. Methods: Among 8,230 patients who underwent HSCT between 2002 and 2018, 5,533 patients younger than 50 years were first excluded. Remaining patients were divided into those who were and were not diagnosed with dementia before HSCT (dementia group: n = 31; no dementia: n = 2,666). Thereafter, among 2,666 participants without dementia, 93 patients were selected via propensity-matched score as non-dementia group. Patients were followed from the day they received HSCT to the occurrence of death or the last follow-up day (December 31, 2018), whichever came first. Results: With median follow-up of 621 days for dementia group and 654 days for non-dementia group, 2 year-OS of dementia group was lower than that of non-dementia group (53.3% [95% confidence interval, 95% CI, 59.0−80.2%] vs. 68.8% [95% CI, 38.0−68.2%], p = 0.076). In multivariate analysis, dementia had significant impacts on OS (hazard risk = 2.539, 95% CI, 1.166−4.771, p = 0.017). Conclusion: Our results indicated that patients diagnosed with dementia before HSCT have 2.539 times higher risk of mortality after transplantation than those not having dementia. With number of elderly needing HSCT is increasing, further work to establish treatment guidelines for the management of HSCT in people with dementia is needed.